Jalen Williams scored a season-high 33 points, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 104-97 victory over the Miami Heat on Friday night. The Thunder improved their record to 22-5, the best in the Western Conference and second-best in the NBA.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his stellar season with 25 points, marking his 17th consecutive game scoring at least 25 points. Oklahoma City capitalized on Miami’s mistakes, turning 19 turnovers into 27 points.
Lu Dort added 14 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 13 points and a season-high 18 rebounds. Oklahoma City’s seven-game winning streak remains intact, with their loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup final not counting toward the regular-season standings.
Tyler Herro led the Heat with 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Bam Adebayo finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Miami faced adversity as Jimmy Butler left in the first quarter due to illness, and Adebayo briefly exited in the third quarter after requiring stitches from an accidental elbow by teammate Jaime Jaquez Jr.
The Thunder trailed by three points midway through the third quarter before a 10-0 run turned the tide. They entered the fourth quarter with an 11-point lead and maintained control to secure the win.
Williams’ 33-point performance surpassed his previous season high of 31, showcasing his growth as a key player for the Thunder. His efficiency from beyond the arc, hitting four of seven three-point attempts, was crucial to Oklahoma City’s success.
Miami’s struggles from deep proved costly, as they shot just 30% from three-point range. The Heat also felt the absence of Butler, whose illness left them shorthanded in a tight matchup.
