PORTLAND, Ore. — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an impressive performance, scoring 33 points, as the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a 118-108 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday evening.
Jalen Williams contributed significantly with 24 points and eight assists, while Isaiah Hartenstein bolstered the team’s efforts with 14 points and 11 rebounds. This win allowed the Thunder to bounce back after a recent loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. With this victory, Oklahoma City improved its overall record to 37-8, boasting an impressive 17-5 record in away games.
For Portland, Deni Avdija stood out with a strong performance, putting up 28 points, alongside eight assists and seven rebounds. As the final quarter unfolded, the Trail Blazers worked to close the gap, narrowing the score to 93-88 on free throws from Anfernee Simons. However, the Thunder responded effectively, with a crucial 3-pointer from Williams pushing the score to 96-88 before Alex Caruso’s long-range shot extended it to 105-90.
In terms of takeaways, it is noteworthy that the Thunder is currently the league leader in steals for the second consecutive season. Coach Mark Daigenault attributes this success not solely to his coaching strategies, but rather to the defensive skills of his best players. He emphasized the importance of “the quality of defensive personnel” on the team.
On the Trail Blazers’ side, rookie center Donovan Clingan has faced a challenging season with injuries but made a positive return to the lineup during their recent victory against Charlotte, where he recorded 13 rebounds and four blocks. Coach Chauncey Billups expressed his satisfaction with having Clingan back on the court.
A key moment in the match was the Thunder’s dominance in the second quarter, outscoring the Trail Blazers 39-27.
Looking at the key statistics, Oklahoma City considerably outperformed Portland in the paint, scoring 52 points to Portland’s 22, and also held a 28-13 advantage in second-chance points.
Next on the schedule, the Thunder will face the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, while the Trail Blazers are set to host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.
