Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 54 factors and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Utah Jazz 123-114 on Wednesday night time.
Gilgeous-Alexander made 17 of 35 discipline objectives and 17 of 18 free throws to surpass his earlier profession better 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 file.
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 crew within the Western Convention, hung robust all through.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 factors within the first half to assist Oklahoma Metropolis take a 57-55 lead on the break. He scored 18 factors within the third quarter because the Thunder took a 95-89 lead.
Gilgeous-Alexander took a break to start out the ultimate 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 his profession night time.
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Takeaways
Jazz: Utah did a variety of issues proper, together with scoring 31 second-chance factors off 23 offensive rebounds. The Jazz merely bumped into top-of-the-line gamers and groups within the league.
Thunder: Oklahoma Metropolis nonetheless was lacking injured heart Isaiah Hartenstein, and Utah took benefit by successful the rebounding battle 52-39. The Thunder’s lack of dimension helped the Jazz maintain it shut.
Key second
Gilgeous-Alexander scored his fiftieth level on a pullup jumper over Lauri Markkanen with 1:28 to go that gave the Thunder a 119-110 lead.
Key stat
Oklahoma Metropolis overcame its lack of dimension by scoring 39 factors off Utah’s 27 turnovers.
Up subsequent
The Jazz go to Memphis on Saturday. The Thunder host Dallas on Thursday.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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