Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points to help the Oklahoma City Thunder run their winning streak to 11 games with a 130-106 home victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.
The loss snapped the Grizzlies’ two-game winning streak and was just their fourth in 18 games.
The Thunder had a season-high 35 assists, led by eight from Jalen Williams.
Without Ja Morant, who sustained a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder in Friday’s win over New Orleans, and several other key players, Memphis didn’t have an answer for the Western Conference-leading Thunder.
The Grizzlies also were without Zach Edey (concussion) and Brandon Clarke (right knee soreness).
While Memphis was without plenty of production, Oklahoma City’s Luguentz Dort and Cason Wallace returned after missing Saturday’s win in Charlotte.
Playing on the second night of a back-to-back, Oklahoma City missed its first five shots and had two turnovers in the first three minutes before Gilgeous-Alexander got going.
After falling behind 9-0, Oklahoma City took over. Gilgeous-Alexander made his first six shots, extending into the second quarter, and the Thunder led by as much as 29 in the first half.
Gilgeous-Alexander kept his foot on the pedal deep into the second half, even with the game well under control.
In the final seconds of the third quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander jogged to halfcourt, crossing with about three seconds left.
Then Gilgeous-Alexander blew past Luke Kennard to get to the bucket, finishing with a scooping layup as Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr. stepped his direction too late to contest the shot.
It was Gilgeous-Alexander’s 17th game with at least 30 points this season.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished 14 of 19 from the floor — 13 of 14 inside the arc — as Oklahoma City outscored Memphis in the paint 56-36 for the game.
Oklahoma City scored 33 points off Memphis’ 21 turnovers.
The Grizzlies shot a season-low 38.1 percent from the floor, with starters Jaylen Wells and Jackson combining to shoot just 5 of 29.
Desmond Bane led Memphis with 22 points.
Six other Oklahoma City scorers joined Gilgeous-Alexander in double figures, including 17 points off the bench from Ajay Mitchell and 16 from Aaron Wiggins.
–Field Level Media
