Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an impressive performance with 32 points and nine assists, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a remarkable comeback victory against the Miami Heat, winning 115-101 on Wednesday night.
Jalen Williams contributed 18 points, while Lu Dort added 17, helping the Thunder secure their seventh consecutive win and boosting their record to an impressive 44-9, the best in the league.
The Thunder trailed significantly, falling behind by as much as 21 points at one stage. However, they ignited the fourth quarter with a stunning 24-0 run that shifted the momentum in their favor for good. In the final period, Oklahoma City outscored Miami 32-8, with Gilgeous-Alexander being the driving force, scoring 14 points during the quarter.
For the Heat, Bam Adebayo stood out with 27 points and 15 rebounds, while Tyler Herro contributed 14 points. Andrew Wiggins, who recently joined the Heat through a trade from the Golden State Warriors, chipped in with 13 points in his second game with his new team.
The first half saw Miami in dominant form, effortlessly scoring against what is acknowledged as the top defensive unit in the league. The Heat held a commanding 58-37 lead midway through the second quarter. Nevertheless, Gilgeous-Alexander managed to slice into that deficit right before halftime, nailing a 3-pointer that brought Oklahoma City closer at 63-52. Miami’s shooting performance was impressive, as they recorded a 58.5% shooting mark in the first half.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Heat maintained a 93-83 lead. However, the Thunder’s solid defense held Miami without a score for nearly six minutes at the start of the decisive period.
In terms of key takeaways, the Heat showcased strong play for most of the game but faltered during a critical span, which proved costly against a well-rounded team like Oklahoma City. For the Thunder, their resilience in overcoming second-half deficits and maintaining high defensive energy has become a hallmark of their recent success.
A pivotal moment occurred when Gilgeous-Alexander knocked down a 3-pointer, giving the Thunder a crucial lead of 96-93 with 9:31 remaining in the game, marking the first time they were ahead throughout the match.
Statistically, Oklahoma City excelled in the fourth quarter by hitting 13 out of 23 field goal attempts, whereas Miami struggled significantly, making only 3 of 18 attempts.
Looking ahead, the Heat are set to take on the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, while the Thunder will face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves on the same night.
