OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 27 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Golden State Warriors 104-97 on Saturday night for their fifth straight victory.
Gilgeous-Alexander made only 6 of 15 shots, but made 14 of 15 free throws, maintaining his consistent performance. He has scored at least 20 points in 125 consecutive games. On Monday at home against the Denver Nuggets, he will tie Chamberlain’s streak of 126 consecutive games with at least 20 points.
advertise
Oklahoma City is 5-0 after Gilgeous-Alexander returns from an abdominal strain. The defending champion Thunder have the best record in the league and became the first team in the league to achieve 50 wins this season.
Oklahoma City’s Isaiah Joe scored 18 points and Jaylin Williams had nine points and 14 rebounds.
Gui Santos scored 22 points and 11 rebounds, Brandin Pozzimski scored 17 points, and Draymond Green contributed 16 points for the Warriors, who shot 40.9% from the field.
This matchup wasn’t quite as star-studded as many past contests between these long-time rivals. Golden State Warriors player Stephen Curry (right knee) has missed 13 consecutive games. The Thunder were without regular starters Chet Holmgren (illness), Jalen Williams (strained right hamstring) and center Isaiah Hartenstein (bruised left calf).
advertise
The Thunder led 67-54 at halftime, with Kenrich Williams scoring 13 points and Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 12. Santos scored 14 points in the first half to put the Warriors within reach.
The Golden State Warriors took the lead early in the third quarter. With more than 4 minutes left in the quarter, Malevy Leons hit a three-pointer to tie the score at 77, but the Thunder entered the fourth quarter with an 86-83 lead.
The Thunder led 99-97 when Gilgeous-Alexander hit a 3-pointer in Green’s face to extend the lead to five points with 42.4 seconds left.
Next
Warriors: Visit the Utah Jazz on Monday night.
Thunder: Host the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA