PORTLAND, Ore. — — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 37 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder held off a late rally by the Portland Trail Blazers for a 128-120 victory Wednesday night.
Jalen Williams added 31 points and Chet Holmgren finished with 21 points and a season-high 14 rebounds for Oklahoma City, which led by 18 points.
Anfernee Simons had 29 for the short-handed Blazers, who won just 17 games and were plagued by injuries.
“We don’t play for a team’s record. You’re just playing against the team,” Williams said. “It’s a well-coached team, a lot of players are playing for spots and minutes. And these are probably some of the most dangerous teams.
Portland (17-44) cut the lead to 112-107 on Simons’ layup before Matisse Thybulle’s 3-point basket put the Blazers within two with 4:05 to play.
Williams ended the threat with a 3-pointer that made the score 116-110.
“Give them a lot of credit, I thought they really fought tonight – what they’ve done lately, they have the fifth best defense in the league over the last 10 games and their competitiveness and their physicality definitely showed it tonight,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said, “It was a good test for us.”
Portland saw the return of Jerami Grant (right quad) and Thybulle (left hip), who both missed Portland’s 119-114 loss at Minnesota on Monday. Centers Deandre Ayton (right wrist sprain) and Toumani Camara (illness) were ruled out before the match.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said rookie Scoot Henderson is making progress after a sprained left foot and could return by the weekend.
“I just thought we came out and played really well against this team, for the second time. No matter who plays, we play the right way. We are going to play well. And that’s what I want to happen. Play well, play together. And we rely on each other all the time,” Billups said.
The Thunder had just lost 116-104 Monday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, only their second defeat in nine games. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 points, ending his eight-game 30-point streak.
With this victory, Oklahoma City (43-19) found itself tied with Minnesota for first place in the Western Conference standings.
The Thunder took a 51-35 lead in the first half after Jalen Williams’ layup, but Portland pulled within 65-57 at halftime. Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren shared the lead with 16 points each at halftime.
There was a scary moment in the second quarter when Oklahoma City’s Bismack Biyombo appeared to collapse on the bench.
It was not immediately clear whether Biyombo was injured. The 13-year NBA veteran fell as the team went to the sideline during a timeout. He was helped off the field and into the locker room.
The Thunder said it was not a serious medical issue, although Biyombo did not return.
“He’s fine. He basically just passed out,” Daigneault said. “He was in the locker room at halftime, laughing and joking.”
Simons made a 3-pointer before Grant’s floater put the Blazers up 88-86 late in the third quarter, but the Thunder responded with a 10-0 run to take a 97-87 lead into the final period .
This was the fourth and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Thunder have won all four.
The Thunder’s game in Portland was the last of a four-game road trip.
FOLLOWING
Thunder: Host the Miami Heat on Friday night.
Trail Blazers: Host the Houston Rockets Friday night.
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