MIAMI — Jalen Williams delivered an impressive performance for the Oklahoma City Thunder, scoring a season-high 33 points as the team defeated the Miami Heat 104-97 on Friday night. This victory marks the Thunder’s seventh consecutive win, showcasing their strong form.
In addition to Williams’ standout performance, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributed significantly with 25 points. Lu Dort added 14 points, while Isaiah Hartenstein impressed with 13 points and an outstanding 18 rebounds. With this win, the Thunder have improved their record to 22-5, making them the top team in the Western Conference and sporting the second-best record in the entire NBA.
The Thunder’s winning streak remains intact despite a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup final on Tuesday night, as that game is not counted in the regular season standings.
On the other side, Tyler Herro shone for the Heat with 28 points and 12 rebounds, and Bam Adebayo added 17 points and 10 rebounds. Unfortunately, Miami’s lineup faced some challenges as they lost Jimmy Butler to illness early in the first quarter. Adebayo also experienced a scare when he was hit in the eye by teammate Jaime Jaquez Jr., requiring seven stitches, but he managed to return to the game.
Key takeaways include Williams’ previous season best being 31 points, while the Thunder capitalized on Miami’s turnovers, scoring 27 points off 19 Heat mistakes. On the Heat’s side, news emerged that managing general partner Micky Arison and senior director of team development Ruth Riley Hunter are in contention for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025. Coach Erik Spoelstra remarked that it’s about time for Arison, adding that Hunter’s accolades in college, professional, and Olympic basketball should secure her a spot in the Hall.
A pivotal moment occurred in the third quarter when the Thunder fell behind by three points but then launched a 10-0 run that set the pace for their closing effort. They finished the quarter with an 11-point lead.
One significant statistic to note is that Gilgeous-Alexander has now scored 25 points or more in 17 consecutive games, marking the longest such streak in the NBA this season.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma City will host the Washington Wizards on Monday, while the Miami Heat will travel to face the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
