Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s second-half surge propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Houston Rockets, 111-96, on Saturday night to secure a spot in the NBA Cup championship game. The Thunder, now boasting a 20-5 record, turned a tight contest into a decisive victory with a dominant 70-point second half.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 32 points, including 20 after halftime, while adding eight rebounds and six assists. Despite struggling with his shooting early, he relied on his ability to get to the free-throw line, converting 14 of 15 attempts.
Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 21 points and eight rebounds, providing key interior play. Jalen Williams added 20 points, while Luguentz Dort chipped in with 19 points and nine boards. The Thunder used a 13-3 run late in the fourth quarter to create separation and seal the win.
Houston, which dropped to 17-9, kept it close in the first half, leading 42-41 at the break. Rookie Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 19 points and seven rebounds off the bench, while Alperen Sengun recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards. However, the Rockets struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 11 of 46 attempts (23.9%).
Fred VanVleet’s shooting woes continued, as he went 1-for-11 from deep, extending his slump from the previous three games. Jabari Smith Jr. and Dillon Brooks contributed 14 points each, but Houston’s inefficient shooting proved costly.
The Thunder’s defense and efficiency from the free-throw line played a crucial role. Oklahoma City converted 28 of 32 free throws (87.5%) and capitalized on Houston’s 16 turnovers. Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s fourth-leading scorer this season, showcased his ability to deliver in clutch moments, particularly as Oklahoma City turned the game around in the third quarter.
The Thunder’s victory extends their winning streak to five games as they prepare to face the Milwaukee Bucks in Tuesday night’s championship game. Milwaukee earned their spot by defeating the Atlanta Hawks 110-102 earlier on Saturday. The NBA Cup final, which will not count toward regular-season standings, offers a chance for the Thunder to claim early-season hardware.
