OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder tied their best start to an NBA season at 25 games with a 138-89 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday.
The Thunder’s 24-1 record tied the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who won their first 24 games but ended up losing.
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Chet Holmgren contributed 24 points and 8 rebounds for the Thunder, which set a franchise record with 16 consecutive wins. They advance to the semifinals on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs.
It looks like this could be a tough game for the Thunder. On November 28, Oklahoma City defeated the Suns 123-119 in the NBA Cup group stage, the closest game during its winning streak.
But Phoenix star Devin Booker missed his third straight game with a strained right groin. Booker scored 21 points in the last game and said after the game that the “secret is out” about the Thunder’s league-leading defense.
It appears the Suns have more to learn. They shot 39.3% from the field and scored the lowest points of the season in the most lopsided loss in franchise history. Dillon Brooks scored a Suns-high 16 points, but he made just 4 of 16 shots. It was the fewest points Oklahoma City has allowed this season.
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At halftime, Jaren Williams hit a three-pointer and the Thunder led 74-48. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 points in the first half despite only taking eight shots.
This was Gilgeous-Alexander’s 96th consecutive game with at least 20 points. With 9 minutes and 15 seconds left in the third quarter, he broke through and scored a dunk, giving the Thunder an 84-50 lead.
Phoenix guard Grayson Allen was ejected after pushing Holmgren and knocking him to the ground. With 5:18 left in the third quarter and the Thunder leading 94-58, the two collided and Holmgren appeared to be setting a screen. Allen stretched out his arms, causing Holmgren to lose his balance, and was awarded a Malicious 2.
Spurs 132, Lakers 119
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Stephon Castle scored 21 of his 30 points and De’Aaron Fox scored 20 in the second half to lift the San Antonio Spurs past the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
Keldon Johnson had 17 points and eight rebounds and the Spurs held a double-digit lead for much of the final three quarters to earn their final Cup semifinal spot in Las Vegas, where they will face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.
Luka Doncic scored 35 points and LeBron James had 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for the Lakers, who lost for just the third time in 12 games. Los Angeles cut the deficit to eight points late in the fourth quarter but was unable to close the gap.
Marcus Smart scored eight three-pointers for the Lakers and scored a season-high 26 points, while Austin Reeves scored 15 points.
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The Spurs have won nine of 12 games this week and into the playoffs after steadily controlling two Western Conference teams looking to challenge the defending champion Thunder.
Castle had a strong performance in his second game back after missing 10 games with a hip injury, adding 10 rebounds and six assists. The Spurs had eight teams score at least eight points, and their bench beat Los Angeles Prep 48-31.
The Lakers won the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023 and went undefeated in the group stage this fall before meeting the Spurs.
The Spurs went on a 17-2 run and led by 18 points in the second quarter, with Castle and Harrison Barnes taking advantage of Los Angeles’ season-long struggles defending outside shots.
Victor Wembanyama missed his 12th straight game with a calf injury but traveled with the Spurs.
