Shai Gilgeous-Alexander aims to start a new 30-point streak when the Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday evening.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored at least 30 in eight straight games before having just 20 in Monday night’s 116-104 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Gilgeous-Alexander shot just 5 of 13 from the field against the Lakers while tying his fourth-lowest score of the season.
In total, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 or more points 45 times, matching his career-best set last season. He is two points from the Thunder record, achieved twice by Kevin Durant (2009-10, 2013-14).
Against the Lakers, Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates trailed by nine at halftime and by as many as 25 while losing for just the second time in the last nine games. The Thunder shot just 39.4 percent from the field.
It was a collective set of problems in the eyes of Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault.
“Our start was good offensively, but our overall sharpness just wasn’t there,” Daigneault said. “Defensively, we turned them over a few times, and that kept us going. But definitely not our fastball. …
“I just didn’t think we were as precise offensively as we needed to be. A team like that that has size and physicality, that’s a requirement to make shots against them, but we didn’t have it. just not doing enough.”
Second-year pro Jalen Williams had just seven points on 2-of-9 shooting against Los Angeles after topping 20 in each of the previous four games.
The Thunder will look to return to form against Portland in the finale of a four-game road trip. Oklahoma City looks to complete a four-game season against the Trail Blazers and win its 12th straight game in the series.
Earlier in the road trip, Oklahoma City lost to the San Antonio Spurs and beat the Phoenix Suns before showing mediocre against the Lakers.
Portland has lost 10 of its last 12 games and probably isn’t thrilled to see the Thunder again. The Trail Blazers’ losses to Oklahoma City this season include defeats by 62 and 43 points.
The 139-77 loss at Oklahoma City on Jan. 11 is tied for the fifth-largest loss in NBA history and the second-worst in Trail Blazers history. Portland shot 27.7 percent from the field and was outscored 59-42 in this game.
The Trail Blazers will have a depleted roster for Wednesday’s game with Anfernee Simons representing the only starter who will definitely be available.
In Monday’s 119-114 road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, starting forwards Jerami Grant (quadriceps) and Toumani Camara (illness) and reserve forward Matisse Thybulle (hip) joined the Trail Blazers’ roster in trouble.
They joined center Deandre Ayton (wrist) and guards Malcolm Brogdon (elbow) and Scoot Henderson (foot) on the sideline.
Henderson has been ruled out for Wednesday’s game, while Ayton is doubtful and Grant, Camara and Thybulle are doubtful. Brogdon hasn’t played since February 2.
Portland coach Chauncey Billups was pleased his club put up a fight against the Timberwolves.
“I’m super proud,” Billups said. “These guys, they don’t give up. They don’t give me anything. I love it. I think that’s our best attribute as a team, period. It doesn’t matter who’s playing. Who’s not playing. Who we’ “I’m playing. It does not matter. We just continue to work and play together. I was so proud of them all. “
Simons excelled with 34 points for his second straight 30-point effort and set a career-high 14 assists. The 24-year-old also moved into sixth place in Portland history with 719 career 3-pointers, passing Damon Stoudamire (717 from 1997 to 2005).
Post player Duop Reath also excelled with a career-high 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting.
–Field level media
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