The Oklahoma City Thunder managed to bounce back from back of consecutive losses, coming out on top of the Sacramento Kings 127-113 at the Paycom Center behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams’ combined 70 points.
Gilgeous-Alexander (38 pts, 7 ast, 15/26 FG) and Williams (32 pts, 8 reb, 9 ast) were sensational for the Thunder who notched their 36th win of the season – tied with Minnesota and Denver for the highest tally in the Western Conference.
With four teams currently within a game-and-a-half of the West’s No.1 seed, banking wins during the lull of the season that often comes in the lead-up to the All-Star break may prove crucial down the stretch.
Lu Dort (17 pts, 9 reb) and Chet Holmgren (14 pts, 4 blk) also found ways to contribute for the Thunder with the rest of the team adding just 26 points.
Recent acquisitions Gordon Hayward and Bismack Biyombo are yet to suit up for Oklahoma City.
The Thunder earnt a double-digit lead early which quickly evaporated only for momentum to swing back the way of the home team in the as the second quarter went on.
They took a 10-point lead into the half which grew to as high as 24 in the third frame as they motored towards a 14-point win.
Oklahoma City’s ability to force turnovers (30 points off 18 Kings mistakes) and hit their threes (13-of-27, 48.1%) helped them overcome Sacramento’s edge on the glass.
The Kings were led by Domantas Sabonis’ (21 pts, 11 reb, 14 ast) triple-double whilst Malik Monk (26 pts, 5 ast) provided a spark off the bench.
De’Aaron Fox (15 pts, 6/17 FG) and Kevin Huerter (4 pts, 2/7 FG) both struggled through shooting woes for much of the night.
The Kings will look to get back in the wins column when they face the Suns in Phoenix on Wednesday whilst Oklahoma City hit the road to take on the Magic the same day.
