Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a career-best performance to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 120-114 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. Matching his career-high of 45 points, the Canadian guard showcased his scoring prowess, shooting 15-of-22 from the floor, 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 11-of-11 from the free-throw line. He also contributed seven rebounds, eight assists, two blocks, and a steal, guiding the Thunder to their ninth consecutive win.
“It’s the extra plays that put you over the edge,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We have a group of guys that are hungry to do whatever it takes to win.”
Thunder’s Key Contributors
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 45 | 7 | 8 |
| Jalen Williams | 20 | 5 | 3 |
| Isaiah Hartenstein | 11 | 13 | 2 |
The Thunder, now 24-5 and atop the Western Conference standings, erased a halftime deficit with a dominant second half. They capped the game with a 17-7 run, including a clutch 3-pointer by Gilgeous-Alexander with under a minute left and six free throws in the final 36 seconds to secure the win.
Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers with 23 points, but Indiana, now 15-16, couldn’t hold on after leading 61-53 at halftime.
Elsewhere Around the NBA
- Tyler Herro’s Buzzer-Beater: Tyler Herro nailed a jumper with 0.1 seconds left to lift the Miami Heat over the Orlando Magic 89-88. Herro scored 20 points in the thrilling Florida showdown.
- Wizards Edge Hornets: Jordan Poole’s late 3-pointer helped Washington snap their skid with a 113-110 win over Charlotte. Poole led with 25 points.
- Rockets Roll Past Pelicans: Jalen Green scored 30 points, while Cam Whitmore added 27 off the bench as Houston defeated New Orleans 128-111.
- Grizzlies Dominate Raptors: Zach Edey (21 points, 16 rebounds) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (21 points, 11 rebounds) powered Memphis to a commanding 155-126 win.
- Bucks Stumble: Playing without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, Milwaukee fell to Brooklyn 111-105, with Cameron Johnson scoring 29 for the Nets.
Looking Ahead
The Thunder’s dominance continues as they aim to solidify their place atop the standings. Meanwhile, Miami, Washington, and Memphis secured crucial wins, and Milwaukee will look to rebound as their stars return to action.
