Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder rout of Harden, Nets | Inquirer Sports

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder rout of Harden, Nets

/ 02:34 PM January 14, 2022

 Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) in the third quarter at Barclays Center.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) in the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander totaled 33 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder took control in the first quarter and snapped a five-game losing streak with a 130-109 rout of the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night in New York.

Gilgeous-Alexander made 11 of 18 shots and notched his second straight game with at least 30 points as the Thunder led for the final 43:45. On the second anniversary of his first career triple-double, Gilgeous-Alexander left with 1:41 remaining and the Thunder holding a 22-point lead.

ADVERTISEMENT

Luguentz Dort added 27 and hit six of Oklahoma City’s season-best 20 3-pointers. Rookie Josh Giddey added 19 as the Thunder shot a season-best 51.6 percent.

FEATURED STORIES

Darius Bazley contributed 16 and Mike Muscala chipped in 14 as Oklahoma City won its fourth straight game in Brooklyn on a night when it set season highs for points, first-quarter points (38) and first-half points (70).

Playing a fourth game in five nights and in a third different time zone, the Nets lost for the sixth time in seven home games, dropping to 11-11 in Brooklyn as Kevin Durant and Patty Mills were rested.

James Harden paced the Nets with 26 points, nine assists and seven rebounds but also shot 7 of 22 as Brooklyn shot 41.8 percent. Rookie Cam Thomas added 21 and undrafted first-year player David Duke Jr. chipped in 13.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 16 straight Oklahoma City points in a span of 3:46 as the Thunder ended their most productive first quarter of the season with a 38-26 lead. The Nets got within 47-39 with about 6 1/2 minutes left, but the Thunder outscored them 23-12 for a 70-51 lead by halftime.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s dunk upped the lead to 79-57 with 9:25 remaining and the Nets answered with an 18-6 spurt, getting within 85-75 on a 3-pointer by Duke with 5:25 left. Gilgeous-Alexander then converted a putback reverse layup and two free throws in the final minute as Oklahoma City held a 100-83 lead into the fourth.

Consecutive 3-pointers by Harden cut Brooklyn’s deficit to 102-89 with 10:29 left, and a layup by Thomas sliced the lead to 104-96 a little over two minutes later. Gilgeous-Alexander returned with 6:24 left and finished it off by hitting a 3-pointer and a layup on consecutive possessions for a 120-100 lead with 5:04 to go.

Field Level Media

RELATED STORIES

Durant, Harden lead Nets past Bulls in battle of East leaders

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hits buzzer-beating triple 

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. To find out more, please click this link.