OKLAHOMA CITY – Wrapping the basketball behind his again, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knocked down the mid-range jumper in chilly blood in opposition to Marvin Bagley III. The circus shot pushed OKC’s result in 21 factors. It highlighted a monster run within the fourth quarter.
THE Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder performed with their meals earlier than scoring a 123-105 victory over the Wizards of Washington. The annoying first three quarters grew to become a distant reminiscence within the fourth quarter when OKC performed like a title contender whereas Washington performed just like the worst staff within the league.
“I assumed everybody was able to play tonight. Good depth,” mentioned Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault. “The depth was displaying. Everybody was able to go. I assumed defensively within the first half, from one all the way down to 11, we simply weren’t the place we wanted to be, after which we corrected course within the match.”
From the beginning, the Wizards scared OKC. They refused to offer in in opposition to the Thunder and held a 32-29 lead after the primary quarter. The second picture was a special story. The Thunder used a 17-2 run to overturn the lead and create area on the scoreboard. They scored 38 factors within the quarter and held a 67-63 benefit at halftime.
Most likely on account of their total state of affairs, the physique language on each side was fully reverse. Washington performed with cowardice and carelessness. Jordan Poole scored a 3-pointer from half courtroom within the ultimate seconds of the primary half and spoke to the followers. The serial scorer had a sizzling first half.
In the meantime, the Thunder tensed up. They missed high quality take care of high quality look in depth. 3-point woes have been an ongoing storyline and it continued in opposition to the worst staff. The potential of a large upset slowly crept into OKC’s thoughts.
The beginning of the second half didn’t actually allay these considerations.
The 2 groups exchanged factors within the third quarter. The Wizards reduce the deficit to only two factors. What most likely ought to have been a stress-free fourth quarter was an in depth recreation because the Thunder tried to keep away from catastrophe.
Like taking a online game extra critically, the Thunder reminded the Wizards why they’re on reverse sides of the NBA freeway. OKC’s 91-87 lead after three quarters shortly grew to 110-89 on a 19-2 run. The five-minute avalanche turned what may have been a tricky match right into a lopsided victory.
The Thunder went the remainder of the best way. The decisive run was a part of OKC’s 32-point fourth quarter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is gone. He confirmed what kind of participant rebuilding Washington hopes to in the end land. Exhausting blow after exhausting blow, his uncooked expertise was an excessive amount of to maintain up with.
The Thunder shot 44% from the sphere and made 10 of 38 (26.3%) from 3. They shot 19 of twenty-two from the free throw line. They made 25 assists on 47 baskets. 4 Thunder gamers scored double-digit factors.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the best way with an environment friendly 41 factors. Jalen Williams had 17 factors and Isaiah Hartenstein had a 16-point double-double. Ajay Mitchell additionally had a 16-point double-double coming off the bench in his greatest recreation thus far.
In the meantime, the Wizards shot 40 % from the sphere and made 16 of 43 (37.2 %) from 3. They shot 17 of 20 from the free throw line. They made 25 assists on 36 baskets. 5 Wizards gamers scored double-digit factors.
Poole completed with 31 factors on 9-of-20 taking pictures, seven assists and three rebounds. He shot 5 of 12 from 3 and made 8 of 10 from the free throw line. Jonas Valanciunas had 12 factors and 16 rebounds. Malcolm Brogdon helped with 12 factors and 5 assists.
The Wizards season is extra targeted on participant improvement. A trio of recruits are within the highlight. Alex Sarr was absent however Carlton Carrington and Kyshawn George confirmed flashes. Each rookies scored double-digit factors.
It took a short time, nevertheless it in the end was a lopsided victory for the Thunder. The Wizards’ sizzling exterior taking pictures stored them within the recreation for 3 quarters, however OKC overwhelmed them within the fourth quarter to make the ultimate seven minutes uninteresting.
“I assumed we had been a bit of slack within the first half defensively and so they made us pay,” Daigneault mentioned. “They made some photographs, made some performs, after which I assumed within the third quarter we put that in a very good place regardless of not having an excellent offensive quarter. Then we began the fourth and received all the things arrange.
Let’s take a look at the Thunder participant rankings:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A-plus
It was about as nonchalant because it will get for a 40 piece. Gilgeous-Alexander by no means appeared like he needed to go all out in opposition to the lowly wizards. As an alternative, he was enjoying together with his opponent and attempting new strikes. It looks like it is doable for an MVP candidate to each dominate and beat Washington.
Gilgeous-Alexander completed with 41 factors on 14-of-25 taking pictures, 9 rebounds, three assists and three steals. He shot 3 of 6 from 3 and made 10 of 10 from the free throw line.
What makes this outing much more spectacular is Gilgeous-Alexander’s gradual begin. He solely scored two factors within the first quarter. As an alternative of enjoying your entire first quarter, Daigneault barely modified his rotation. Meaning 39 factors had been scored in three quarters – a surprising scoring tempo. Washington’s lack of expertise was uncovered within the latter levels.
Barely holding on to the lead, Gilgeous-Alexander had sufficient and scored 14 factors within the fourth quarter. He led OKC’s late cost to place this one away early. The taking pictures was unreal from any space of the ground. He made demoralizing 3-pointers. His signature primary mid-range jumper was on level. His subtle transfer behind the again was the icing on the cake of a monster fourth quarter.
“I don’t know the place that got here from,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned of his fancy mid-range sweater. “I do not know why I did that. It simply occurred. However issues like that occur on a regular basis, due to the best way I play.”
Isaiah Hartenstein: B-plus
After barely throwing lobs final season, Hartenstein transformed OKC right into a lobs-heavy staff. His seven-foot body has change into a weapon for the Thunder and a straightforward basket as a rule. Whether or not operating pick-and-rolls with Gilgeous-Alexander or Williams, count on the alley-oop to at all times be of their again pocket.
Hartenstein completed with 16 factors on 7-of-12 taking pictures, 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. It was one other double-double for the 26-year-old. It is virtually a assure since he began.
In a battle between the massive guys, Hartenstein put up a very good battle with Valanciunas. Most likely having dangerous reminiscences from final yr’s playoffs, the Wizards seven-footer was invisible.
The Thunder’s middle room is sort of wholesome. The one notable piece is Chet Holmgren with a damaged hip. It’s going to nonetheless be some time earlier than he returns, however he was noticed on the match with only one crutch. This can be a signal of progress since he beforehand relied on two crutches.
Ajay Mitchell: One
Regardless that the Thunder did not win the $515,000 NBA Cup grand prize, Mitchell ought to see a pay elevate quickly. He would be the uncommon two-way participant who by no means attire within the G League.
Mitchell had his greatest recreation thus far. He completed with 16 factors on 6-of-7 taking pictures, 12 rebounds and two assists coming off the bench. The 22-year-old was OKC’s highest-scoring rookie this season, an ironic twist contemplating he was the final participant chosen for his draft class.
The Thunder desperately want a further ball handler to run the bench lineups and Mitchell has been the closest reply. It was his first profession double-double and he was plus-20 in 22 minutes. He has been a nice shock for OKC this yr.
“I believe he is been actually good. He is been actually good all yr,” Daigneault mentioned of Mitchell. “He is been very dependable. He is been a staple in our rotation for a motive. He is aggressive on protection and performs the suitable method on offense.”
Jaylin Williams: C
The loudest reactions from the gang earlier than Christmas had been about Williams. After lacking the primary 27 video games on account of a hamstring pressure, the 22-year-old lastly made his season debut.
Each instances Williams ran to the scorer’s desk to test in, the OKC crowd gave him a defeated ovation that rivaled that of a playoff winner. He completed with three factors on 1-of-3 taking pictures and two assists in eight minutes.
It did not take lengthy for Williams to attain her first 3-pointer. After AJ and Huge Justice snatched his “Growth!” ” slogan, the third-year middle hopes to regain that crown one exterior shot at a time.
The Thunder are hoping Williams can shake off some rust after three months out. He has been a key backup middle for them over the previous two seasons. Hartenstein is the one true wholesome middle on the roster, so the 22-year-old may see large minutes off the bench.
“The reception they gave him was unbelievable assist,” Daigneault mentioned of Williams’ return. “I’ve at all times mentioned that now we have the wind at our backs with our followers and we simply need, on behalf of our staff, to want everybody a cheerful vacation. We respect the chance to be part of their lives and Do not take it with no consideration.”
