SGA puts up 40, Thunder sink Bulls to secure 6th-straight

A 40-point, 12-assist outing courtesy of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 116-102 win over the Bulls to extend their winning streak to six games and improve to 11-4 on the year.

Gilgeous-Alexander was again superb for the Thunder hitting on 11 of his 19 field goal attempts and 17 of his 18 free throws.

He becomes the first player in franchise history to put up 40 points, 12 assists, and three blocks in a single game and just the fifth player in league history.

Chet Holmgren’s Rookie of the Year charge was dealt another boost with the 21-year-old finishing with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks.

Elsewhere, Isaiah Joe’s (20 points, 5-of-7 threes) phenomenal three-point shooting continued whilst Kenrich Williams (13 points, five rebounds) and Josh Giddey (10 points, six rebounds) also finished in double-figures with Jalen Williams (hip) sidelined.

It proved a wire-to-wire victory for the Thunder who never surrendered the lead despite the Bulls pulling close and even managing to tie the game midway through the third.

Oklahoma City, however, channelled the level of play that earnt them an 18-point, first-half lead and stormed home with a 32-25 final frame.

The Thunder won the rebounding battle and blocked a dozen shots to Chicago’s two whilst also outscoring the Bulls in the paint and holding them to under 39 per cent from the field.

The Bulls fall to 5-11 on the year with trade rumblings refusing to vanish amid a frustrating opening month.

Zach LaVine was ruled out prior to the game with foot soreness leaving DeMar DeRozan (25 points, six assists) and Coby White (23 points, 7-of-12 threes) to pick up the scoring slack.

Nikola Vučević (16 points, 12 rebounds) had a double-double whilst Alex Caruso (12 points, six rebounds) and Patrick Williams (10 points, seven rebounds) also put up double-figures scoring.

Chicago are in Toronto on Saturday whilst the Thunder are at home against the 76ers on Sunday.

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