Jalen Williams scored 28 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 26 to help the Oklahoma City Thunder defeat the Utah Jazz 133-106 on Tuesday night. With the win, Oklahoma City (16-5) advanced to the NBA Cup quarterfinals, finishing West Group B play with a 3-1 record.
Williams led the charge for the Thunder, shooting 12 of 18 from the field. Gilgeous-Alexander, recently named Western Conference player of the month, contributed seven assists and six rebounds. Isaiah Joe also provided a spark off the bench, finishing with 19 points, including five 3-pointers.
The Jazz (4-17) struggled with turnovers, committing 29 on the night, including 19 in the first half. The Thunder capitalized, turning Utah’s mistakes into 23 points. Oklahoma City’s defensive pressure and efficient offense allowed them to build a commanding lead.
Despite a solid effort from Collin Sexton, who scored 17 points for Utah, the Jazz couldn’t keep pace. Walker Kessler and John Collins each added 15, but Utah’s lack of defensive adjustments allowed the Thunder to remain in control throughout the game.
The Thunder’s depth was on full display, with Aaron Wiggins contributing 16 points off the bench and Cason Wallace adding 12. Isaiah Hartenstein, despite a quiet game, contributed four points and five rebounds. Oklahoma City’s strong bench play gave them the depth needed to secure the blowout win.
The Jazz, who have now lost 10 of their last 11 games, were undone by their turnovers and inability to stop Oklahoma City’s offensive execution. Utah’s Lauri Markkanen finished with 13 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Thunder’s high-powered offense.
For Oklahoma City, the win capped off a successful group stage of the NBA Cup. With Phoenix’s victory over San Antonio, the Thunder clinched the top spot in their group and are now set for the quarterfinals. On the other hand, Utah will be left searching for answers after another tough loss.
