The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a 122-116 preseason win over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday at Paycom Center. The defending champions improved to 2-1 while Charlotte dropped to 0-2.
Thunder jumped out early in the first quarter. They built a 31-21 lead behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 12 points, including a pull-up three and a driving layup.
Alex Caruso added 11 points for OKC. He converted a cutting layup and drained a triple off Isaiah Hartenstein’s assist.
Hornets struggled with turnovers. LaMelo Ball coughed up the ball three times, limiting Charlotte to nine points midway through the frame.
Moussa Diabate scored seven for Charlotte. He drew fouls and hit free throws after a Dort shooting foul.
Cason Wallace dished two assists for the hosts. He set up Gilgeous-Alexander for a mid-range jumper that forced a Hornets timeout.
Oklahoma City extended the edge to 31-21 at the break. Aaron Wiggins swished a deep three to cap the quarter.
Second quarter saw Charlotte mount a comeback. They outscored Thunder 36-33 to trail 64-57 at halftime.
Tre Mann heated up with 10 points in the period. He buried two threes and a driving layup off Ball’s pass.
Ball tallied seven points before halftime. He connected on a step-back three but picked up an offensive foul.
Gilgeous-Alexander kept OKC afloat with six more. He assisted Hartenstein on a dunk and hit a pull-up jumper.
Collin Sexton added 12 points off the bench for Charlotte. He drained a three and converted a steal into a layup.
Isaiah Joe sparked from deep for Thunder. He splashed a 32-footer off Gilgeous-Alexander’s assist late in the half.
Thunder dominated the third. They poured in 36 points to lead 100-83 entering the fourth.
Joe erupted for 12 in the frame. He hit four threes, including one off Ousmane Dieng’s assist.
Jaylin Williams blocked three shots for OKC. He swatted a Mann layup and grabbed key rebounds.
Brandon Miller scored 11 points total. He added eight in the third with a driving layup and free throws.
Wallace tallied six points and three steals. He stripped Sexton and converted the turnover into a layup.
Charlotte mounted a final push in the fourth. They outscored OKC 31-22 but fell short.
Diabate led the charge with seven points in the period. He dunked off Miller’s assist and hit a floating jumper.
Wiggins finished with 13 points. He banked in a fadeaway and blocked Bridges twice.
Mann topped Hornets with 18 points overall. He added five in the fourth on a three and floating bank shot.
Joe led Thunder with 19 points on 5-of-8 from three. Gilgeous-Alexander had 16 points and five assists.
Hartenstein notched eight points and four assists. Caruso grabbed one steal and one block.
Spencer Dinwiddie sat out for Charlotte with a sore left toe. Ibou Badji did not dress, while Pat Connaughton drew a coach’s decision.
OKC shot 48.9% from the field. Charlotte hit 40.9% but forced 16 turnovers.
Thunder wrap preseason at 2-1. Hornets seek first win next outing.
