In a thrilling performance, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted for a career-high 45 points, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 134-128 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.
The win marked Oklahoma City’s first game without rookie phenom Chet Holmgren, who will be sidelined for at least eight weeks due to a pelvic fracture sustained during a hard fall in Sunday’s game against the Warriors. Despite Holmgren’s absence, Gilgeous-Alexander’s brilliance kept Oklahoma City’s offense rolling and guided them past a Clippers squad fighting to stay in the game until the final seconds.
Gilgeous-Alexander was virtually unstoppable, shooting an impressive 13-of-21 from the field and sinking 15 of 16 free throws. His stellar all-around game included nine assists, further demonstrating his value as the Thunder’s go-to playmaker. He received strong support from Jalen Williams, who scored 28 points, and Lu Dort, who chipped in 19, as the Thunder showcased their resilience without their star rookie in the lineup.
With Holmgren out, the Thunder’s tallest starter stood at just 6-foot-6, but that didn’t stop them from pushing the pace. Oklahoma City kept up an aggressive tempo, keeping the Clippers on their heels. Their hustle helped to offset a significant size disadvantage, even as the Clippers outrebounded them 47-29. Despite their smaller lineup, the Thunder played a remarkably clean game, committing just 11 turnovers compared to the Clippers’ 24, which ultimately tipped the scales in OKC’s favor.
For Los Angeles, Norman Powell led the scoring with 31 points before fouling out with 1:32 left, leaving the Clippers in a tight spot down by four. Ivica Zubac was effective inside, posting 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Derrick Jones Jr. added 20 points in a strong performance. James Harden contributed 17 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, but he struggled with efficiency, shooting just 5-of-15 and also found himself in foul trouble, ending the game with five personal fouls.
The Thunder dominated the third quarter, building a 20-point lead halfway through the period. However, the Clippers made a furious comeback, capped by Powell’s fadeaway 3-pointer from the corner to end the quarter, trimming Oklahoma City’s lead to 99-94. The fourth quarter was a nail-biter, with the two teams trading buckets as the Thunder fought to hold off a relentless Clippers rally.
One of the defining takeaways from this game was the Clippers’ struggle with turnovers, as their 24 giveaways led directly to 32 points for the Thunder. Los Angeles was unable to consistently secure possessions, and that lack of discipline in ball control proved costly in a close contest where every possession mattered.
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For Oklahoma City, the depth of their roster was on full display. Despite playing without key players, including Holmgren, the Thunder’s bench and role players stepped up to make crucial plays. This depth allowed them to outlast a Clippers team that found itself hindered by foul trouble in the closing moments.
A key moment came with just 22.7 seconds remaining, as Gilgeous-Alexander calmly sank two free throws to put the Thunder up 132-128, sealing both the win and his new career-high scoring mark. His clutch play at the line highlighted his growth as a leader for this young team, as well as his ability to deliver when it matters most.
From the free-throw line, Oklahoma City’s accuracy was another decisive factor, as they converted 22 of their 23 attempts, while the Clippers went 20-for-29. This precision from the charity stripe underscored the Thunder’s composure and focus in crunch time, as they capitalized on nearly every opportunity.
With this win, the Thunder showed they could rise to the occasion even without Holmgren, maintaining a high level of play and improving their season trajectory. Oklahoma City now looks ahead to a Wednesday home matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, eager to build on their momentum and continue their strong start to the season.
Meanwhile, the Clippers will travel to Houston on Wednesday, hoping to rebound from this tough loss. Los Angeles has been inconsistent in their recent outings, and addressing their turnover issues and foul trouble will be priorities if they hope to secure a victory against the Rockets.
Monday night’s showdown highlighted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s emergence as a true star in the league, as well as the Thunder’s tenacity. With or without Holmgren, Oklahoma City has shown it can compete with top-tier teams, and this victory over the Clippers marks another step forward in their promising journey.