Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 31 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder (38-17) triumphed over the Los Angeles Clippers (36-18) with a resounding 129-107 victory on Thursday night.
Joining Gilgeous-Alexander in the offensive onslaught were Lu Dort with 19 points, Jalen Williams with 18, and Chet Holmgren with 17.
The Thunder’s decisive win not only secured the season series against the Clippers but also positioned them within striking distance of the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves with a record of 38-17.
Gordon Hayward made his debut appearance for Oklahoma City since being acquired in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets, playing 14 minutes and contributing four rebounds despite missing both of his shots.
In contrast, Kawhi Leonard led the scoring effort for the Clippers with 20 points, supported by Nolan Powell’s 19 points, but Los Angeles struggled from beyond the arc, converting just 12 of 32 attempts.
The highly anticipated matchup marked the return of former Thunder players Paul George, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook to Oklahoma City, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the contest.
Despite a late surge from the Clippers, who trimmed the deficit to 111-99 midway through the fourth quarter, Oklahoma City maintained their composure to close out the game with an emphatic 18-8 run, securing their victory in convincing fashion.
