NBA: Thunder continue to thrive, extend Hornets’ skid to 7
Charlotte Hornets guard Seth Curry (30) guards Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander again led Oklahoma City in scoring with 22 points in the Thunder’s 106-94 road victory against the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA on Saturday night.
Jalen Williams racked up 20 points, Aaron Wiggins had 17 points, Isaiah Hartenstein provided 12 points and 15 rebounds and Ajay Mitchell added 10 points as the Thunder won their fifth in a row and their 10th in the last 11 outings.
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“That was a masterpiece,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 45-point outburst in Thursday’s win over Indiana.
“Shai was outstanding … He was at his own pace the entire night. Great… https://t.co/4bMl5Z22Tf pic.twitter.com/zVNqgla52g
— NBA (@NBA) December 28, 2024
Miles Bridges scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but Charlotte’s losing streak reached seven.
READ: NBA: Thunder beat Pacers for ninth straight win
Article continues after this advertisementThe Hornets played without LaMelo Ball, who entered Saturday fourth in the NBA in scoring at 30.1 points per game, because of wrist and ankle soreness. Brandon Miller (ankle sprain) was out again after returning two nights earlier and racking up 18 points.
Seth Curry, who didn’t play in Thursday’s loss at Washington, was in Charlotte’s starting lineup and supplied 12 points. Vasilije Micic posted 16 points, Mark Williams had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Josh Green and reserve Isaiah Wong both had 10 points.
Gilgeous-Alexander has been the Thunder’s top scorer in nine of the last 10 games, doing so Saturday night despite shooting 1-for-6 on 3-pointers.
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Oklahoma City was just 10-for-38 on 3s, but Charlotte didn’t take advantage by going 11-for-34 on 3-pointers even though it sank 25 of 28 free-throw attempts.
The Hornets, who committed 18 turnovers, closed within 92-81 early in the fourth quarter. The Thunder posted the next eight points.
Charlotte was within 45-40 with less than five minutes to play in the second quarter, but Williams notched two of Oklahoma City’s three 3-point baskets in the final 3 1/2 minutes of the half.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Wiggins both had 13 first-half points as the Thunder led 61-46 at the break. Oklahoma City made 54.2 percent of its shots in the opening half compared to Charlotte’s 38.5 percent.
The margin grew to 20 by late in the third quarter. –Field Level Media
