Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came up big with 35 points, supported by Jalen Williams who made a crucial scoring burst in the fourth quarter to fend off an Orlando Magic comeback attempt, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 105-99 victory on Thursday night. Adding to the Thunder’s performance were Isaiah Hartenstein, who notched a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Williams, Aaron Wiggins, and Alex Caruso each contributed 11 points apiece. On the opposing side, Anthony Black shone for the Magic with a strong showing, tallying 23 points, including the first nine points of the fourth quarter. Goga Bitadze and Wendell Carter also put in solid efforts for Orlando, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win as they suffered their third consecutive loss and fourth defeat in five games.
The Thunder, coming off a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup final, started strong by establishing a lead in the second quarter with an 18-4 run, maintaining control for the remainder of the game. Despite enduring a scoring drought lasting over five minutes in the second half, Oklahoma City’s resilient defense and timely scoring kept them ahead. Meanwhile, the Magic struggled to generate offense without key scorers Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, who remained sidelined due to injuries. Orlando’s offensive struggles were particularly evident against the Thunder, known for their stout defense, leading to 20 turnovers for the Magic.
A pivotal moment in the game came early in the fourth quarter when Gilgeous-Alexander was resting on the bench and the Thunder held a slim three-point lead. It was Williams who stepped up, scoring six consecutive points that included an impressive spinning layup and a powerful driving dunk, sparking a game-changing 14-3 run for Oklahoma City. This surge proved to be decisive in securing the victory for the Thunder.
Statistically, the Thunder showcased their defensive prowess, entering the game as the league leaders in several defensive categories, such as points allowed per game, points per 100 possessions, field-goal percentage, three-point percentage, free-throw percentage, turnovers forced, and steals. Oklahoma City’s stellar defensive performance was a major factor in their success against Orlando, as they improved on most of these defensive metrics during the game.
Looking ahead, the Thunder face a tough road test as they play their third away game in four nights against the Miami Heat on Friday, aiming to build on their recent success. On the other hand, the Magic will be seeking a bounce-back performance when they host the Miami Heat on Saturday night, hoping to reverse their current losing streak and get back on track.
In conclusion, Oklahoma City’s strong individual performances, defensive prowess, and timely scoring runs were instrumental in securing a hard-fought victory over the Orlando Magic.
