Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took over in the second half, scoring 20 of his 32 points, to propel the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 111-96 victory over the Houston Rockets in the NBA Cup semifinals on Saturday night.
With the win, the Thunder extended their winning streak to five games and secured a spot in Tuesday night’s championship game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Gilgeous-Alexander showed poise and leadership after a slow start, attacking the paint and capitalizing on free-throw opportunities to finish 14-of-15 from the stripe. His clutch performance was complemented by Isaiah Hartenstein, who added 21 points, while Jalen Williams and Luguentz Dort chipped in with 20 and 19 points, respectively. Dort also contributed nine rebounds, showcasing his two-way versatility.
The Thunder’s second-half explosion proved decisive, as they outscored the Rockets 70-54 after halftime. A 13-3 run midway through the fourth quarter broke the game open, extending Oklahoma City’s lead to 97-82 with under five minutes remaining.
Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 19 points, while Alperen Sengun posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Houston’s balanced scoring saw six players in double figures, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with Oklahoma City’s late-game surge.
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Takeaways
Rockets: Fred VanVleet’s shooting struggles from beyond the arc continued to be a concern. He connected on just 1-of-11 attempts from three-point range, extending a cold streak that has seen him shoot 7-of-40 over his last four games.
Thunder: Gilgeous-Alexander’s resilience stood out. Despite shooting inconsistently early, he found ways to impact the game, particularly at the free-throw line. His ability to draw fouls and convert at a high rate remains a key weapon for Oklahoma City.
Key Moment
The Thunder’s 13-3 fourth-quarter run transformed a tightly contested game into a comfortable lead, solidifying their control and stifling Houston’s chances of a comeback.
Key Stat
Oklahoma City’s 70-point second half was the difference-maker. After trailing 42-41 at halftime, the Thunder’s offensive firepower overwhelmed Houston, turning a defensive battle into an offensive showcase.
Up Next
The Thunder will face the Milwaukee Bucks in Tuesday’s NBA Cup championship game, which does not count toward regular-season standings. Oklahoma City resumes regular-season play on Thursday at Orlando, while the Rockets return to action the same night against New Orleans.
Tuesday’s final promises to be a clash of two dynamic teams, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo set to lead their squads in pursuit of the inaugural NBA Cup title.