NBA: Thunder keep streak alive with comeback win over Clippers

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles around Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) during the first quarter of an NBA game at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder earned their 13th consecutive NBA victory — and longest winning streak since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City — in a 116-98 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points and Jalen Williams added 18 to help the Thunder move within one win of the franchise’s all-time longest winning streak.

Before becoming the Thunder in 2008, the 64-18 Seattle Supersonics notched 14 straight wins during the 1995-96 season from Feb. 3 to March 6.

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The Thunder, leading the NBA in points off turnovers, cranked up the heat defensively in the third quarter to take control. Oklahoma City forced seven turnovers in the third and turned those into 17 points on the other end to help them outscore the Clippers 42-20 in the frame. The Thunder scored 31 total points off turnovers in the win.

Los Angeles — missing James Harden (right groin soreness) for this contest — has lost back-to-back games. It was just Harden’s second missed game of the season.

Over the last two games, Oklahoma City has outscored its opponent 85-43 in the third.

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Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 in the third, including six free throws. He finished 9 of 17 from the floor and made all nine of his free throws.

But unlike Tuesday’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, there was no fourth-quarter push that put the game in jeopardy. That allowed Thunder coach Mark Daigneault to sit Gilgeous-Alexander for the entire fourth quarter on the first night of a back-to-back.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) dribbles around Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) during the second quarter of an NBA game at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Clippers’ leading scorer this season, Norman Powell, missed his first 10 shots and didn’t connect until four minutes into the fourth. The shooting guard finished with a season-low six points on 1-of-11 shooting.

Amir Coffey led Los Angeles with a season-high 26 points.

While the Clippers got off to a hot start offensively, making seven of their first 10 shots, Oklahoma City was cold, especially from deep.

The Thunder sank just one of nine shots from beyond the arc in the first quarter as Los Angeles finished the frame with a 10-2 run to take an eight-point lead into the second.

The Clippers continued to find success in the second, stretching the run to 20-4 to lead by 16 points early in the second.

But just as they did Tuesday, when Oklahoma City cut a 12-point second-quarter deficit in half by halftime, the Thunder entered the third quarter with some momentum.

Oklahoma City trimmed the deficit to four on Jalen Williams’ running pull-up jumper at the buzzer. Williams scored 18 for the Thunder, and they will look to win their 14th straight game on Friday against the New York Knicks. –Field Level Media