Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered another stellar performance, scoring 30 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Toronto Raptors 129-92 on Thursday night.
This commanding victory marked the Thunder’s sixth win in seven games, further solidifying their position atop the Western Conference standings.
Jalen Williams contributed 20 points, while Isaiah Joe added 16 to power the Thunder’s offense. Isaiah Hartenstein was a force on the glass, grabbing 16 rebounds to complement Oklahoma City’s defensive dominance. With a road record of 8-3, the Thunder continue to assert themselves as one of the NBA’s top contenders this season.
The Thunder’s defense set the tone early, recording nine blocks and nine steals in the first half alone. They finished the game with 11 blocks and 14 steals, stifling any attempts by the Raptors to mount a comeback. Oklahoma City’s smothering defense held Toronto to just 24.4% shooting from beyond the arc, as the Raptors connected on only 11 of their 45 attempts from deep.
RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Scottie Barnes added 12 points and 12 rebounds. Despite their individual efforts, Toronto struggled mightily on offense, suffering its worst defeat of the season. This 37-point loss surpassed a 30-point opening-night drubbing against Cleveland.
Toronto’s offensive woes were evident from the start, missing 16 of their first 20 shots and finishing the opening quarter shooting just 6-for-26. By the end of the first, the Raptors trailed 34-17, a deficit they never came close to recovering.
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Takeaways from the Game
Thunder: While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the scoring with 30 points on 11-for-22 shooting, he had an off night from beyond the arc, hitting just 1 of 10 three-point attempts. However, the Thunder’s balanced attack and aggressive defense ensured they never trailed after the opening moments.
Raptors: RJ Barrett’s scoring streak came to an end, as he failed to notch 20 points for the first time in five games. He struggled from the field, shooting 5-for-16, with most of his production coming in the fourth quarter after the game was well out of reach.
Key Moments
The turning point came in the second quarter when the Thunder connected on their first four three-point attempts. This offensive burst extended a 17-point lead to 26 points midway through the period, effectively putting the game out of reach before halftime.
Key Stats
Toronto’s shooting struggles were glaring throughout the night. The Raptors missed 20 of their first 25 field-goal attempts and finished the game shooting just 24% from deep. Their first-quarter performance set the tone, as they shot 6-for-26 and found themselves in a 17-point hole early.
What’s Next?
Both teams return to action on Saturday night. The Thunder head to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans, while the Raptors will look to rebound as they host the Dallas Mavericks.
With another statement win, the Thunder continue to look like a legitimate contender in the West. Meanwhile, the Raptors face mounting concerns about their offense and consistency as they attempt to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference.
