NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander unleashes 37 points as Thunder thump Sixers
Mike Muscala #33 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 against the Philadelphia 76ers in the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on January 12, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Thunder defeated the 76ers 133-114. Mitchell Leff/Getty Images/AFP
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit all 16 of his free throws and scored 37 points to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder past the host Philadelphia 76ers 133-114 on Thursday.
Gilgeous-Alexander added eight rebounds and six assists.
Josh Giddey collected 20 points and eight assists while Jalen Williams and Tre Mann had 14 points apiece for the Thunder. Jaylin Williams contributed 11.
Joel Embiid was 10 of 10 from the free-throw line and had 30 points and 10 rebounds for the Sixers. James Harden added 24 points, 15 assists and six rebounds and Tyrese Maxey scored 17 points.
Tobias Harris contributed 13 and Georges Niang had 10.
❝We played together.❞@NickAGallo spoke to @shaiglalex following the Thunder's 133-114 victory in Philly. pic.twitter.com/qOQcsSNXAC
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 13, 2023
Harris appeared to injure his left knee after banging into Isaiah Joe and went to the locker room with 8:52 remaining in the second quarter. But Harris was able to check back in 1:26 later.
Oklahoma City led 56-43 with 3:30 left in the half.
Harden converted a difficult four-point play with 34.9 seconds to go and the Sixers trailed 64-56.
The Thunder shot 8 of 16 from 3-point territory and held a 67-57 advantage at halftime.
To start the third, Embiid scored two baskets, Harden added a trey and the Sixers closed within three. Harris hit 1 of 2 free throws, Embiid made a pair of free throws and the run extended to 10-0. When Harris hit a trey, the run extended to 13-0.
Gilgeous-Alexander knocked down a short jumper with 6:23 left and the Thunder moved ahead 78-75.
De’Anthony Melton responded with a 3-pointer for Philadelphia on its next possession.
But the Thunder came back with a 7-0 spurt to lead 85-78.
Oklahoma City finished the quarter strong and led 101-85 at the end of the third.
Giddey completed a three-point play and the Thunder maintained a 112-97 advantage with 8:29 remaining in the fourth.
Maxey’s three-point play with 6:16 left sliced the deficit to 114-102.
Embiid threw down a two-handed dunk and added a tough layup to close within eight.
After an empty Thunder possession, Embiid hit two free throws and the Sixers trailed 114-108 with 4:31 to go.
Giddey responded with a short bank shot in the lane and Gilgeous-Alexander hit all his free throws down the stretch.
