Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 54 factors and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Utah Jazz 123-114 on Wednesday evening.
Gilgeous-Alexander made 17 of 35 discipline objectives and 17 of 18 free throws to surpass his earlier profession excessive of 45 factors. He additionally had eight rebounds, 5 assists and three steals.
Jalen Williams added 25 factors for the Thunder (36-7), who’re tied with Cleveland for the league’s greatest report.
John Collins had 22 factors and 12 rebounds, Collin Sexton had 18 factors and 9 assists and Walker Kessler had 17 factors and 15 rebounds for the Jazz, who misplaced their fourth straight.
Utah (10-32), the worst group within the Western Conference, held agency all through.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 factors within the first half to assist Oklahoma City take a 57-55 lead into halftime. He scored 18 factors within the third quarter because the Thunder took a 95-89 lead.
Gilgeous-Alexander took a timeout to begin the fourth quarter, and the Thunder led 102-99 when he checked again in. He hit a 3-pointer that gave the Thunder a 115-106 lead and secured a profession evening.
TO FIND OUT MORE:NBA Power Ranking 2025: Cavs, Thunder lead mid-season check-in
Takeaway
Jazz: Utah did many issues nicely, together with scoring 31 second-chance factors with 23 offensive rebounds. The Jazz merely stumbled upon the most effective gamers and groups within the league.
Thunder: Oklahoma City was nonetheless lacking injured heart Isaiah Hartenstein, and Utah took benefit of that by profitable the rebounding battle 52-39. The Thunder’s lack of dimension helped the Jazz preserve it shut.
Key second
Gilgeous-Alexander scored his fiftieth level with a pullup leap over Lauri Markkanen with 1:28 left to offer the Thunder a 119-110 lead.
Key statistic
Oklahoma City overcame its lack of dimension by scoring 39 factors off Utah’s 27 turnovers.
Next
The Jazz go to Memphis on Saturday. The Thunder host Dallas on Thursday.
Associated Press reporting.
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