Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Continues to Shine Against the Clippers in Thunder Victory
OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder with 32 points in a decisive 122-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night. After suffering a rare loss to the San Antonio Spurs last Saturday, Oklahoma City rebounded to improve their record to 25-2 overall and 13-0 at home.
Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his skills by hitting 13 of 24 shots from the floor, alongside seven rebounds and six assists. This performance marked his 98th consecutive game scoring at least 20 points, extending the second-longest streak in NBA history.
In addition to Gilgeous-Alexander’s standout performance, Chet Holmgren contributed 22 points, while Jalen Williams added 20. The Thunder’s offense capitalized on the Clippers’ struggles, especially in the absence of star point guard James Harden, who missed the game due to a bruised left calf. Harden’s absence correlated with a significant increase in turnovers for Los Angeles, which committed 28 and allowed Oklahoma City to score 39 points off those mistakes. Cason Wallace was particularly effective on defense, recording five of the Thunder’s 18 steals.
The Clippers had a challenging night, as they have now lost five consecutive games and 10 of their last 11. Kawhi Leonard led his team with 22 points, and John Collins added 20, but their efforts were not enough to change the outcome.
The game began with the Clippers gaining an early lead in the first quarter, but the Thunder quickly found their footing. Holmgren’s impressive performance, including 18 points on seven-for-10 shooting in the first half, helped Oklahoma City secure a 64-55 lead at halftime.
The Thunder took complete control in the third quarter, with Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 19 points, resulting in a 103-83 advantage heading into the final period. Oklahoma City shot an efficient 55.6% from the field in the third, outscoring the Clippers 39-28.
