Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 factors, seven assists and no turnovers, main the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder to a 127-108 house win over the Washington Wizards on Thursday.
The Thunder remained undefeated, profitable their sixth consecutive recreation. The defending NBA champions are 6-0 for the second consecutive season after beginning their championship season with seven straight victories.
Oklahoma Metropolis turned up the warmth defensively from the beginning, scoring 26 factors off 23 Wizards’ turnovers whereas the Thunder turned the ball over simply six occasions.
By eight minutes into the sport, Oklahoma Metropolis had taken the lead for good, doing so with eight consecutive factors, the primary 5 of which got here from Gilgeous-Alexander.
The reigning NBA Most Worthwhile Participant scored 13 of his factors within the first to assist Oklahoma Metropolis achieve management. Eight of the Thunder’s 28 first-quarter factors got here off Washington turnovers.
The Thunder managed the sport regardless of the Wizards taking pictures 45.2% from the sphere, higher than Oklahoma Metropolis’s 44.9%.
Cason Wallace led the Thunder with 4 steals, and Oklahoma Metropolis recorded 16 total.
After lacking the primary 4 video games on account of an offseason thumb damage, Bilal Coulibaly made his season debut for the Wizards. Coulibaly scored 16 factors and added eight rebounds, 4 assists and three blocks in additional than 24 minutes.
CJ McCollum scored 19 factors to guide the Wizards, who misplaced for the third consecutive recreation. McCollum was 5-of-8 from past the 3-point line.
The Thunder acquired 52 factors from its bench, together with 20 factors every from Ajay Mitchell and Isaiah Joe.
Joe, who was additionally making his debut after lacking the beginning of the season on account of damage, hit 5 3-pointers.
Oklahoma Metropolis hit a season-high 16 3-pointers.
The Thunder have been with out Chet Holmgren, who missed his second consecutive recreation with decrease again soreness.
Even with out Holmgren, Oklahoma Metropolis dominated within the paint, outscoring the Wizards 50-36 there, and outscored Washington 14-6 on the quick break.
The Thunder led by eight factors going into the fourth quarter, and with Gilgeous-Alexander on the bench, stretched the lead out to 24 over the primary six minutes, permitting Gilgeous-Alexander to relaxation for the ultimate quarter.
–Subject Degree Media
