The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder tightened their grip on the Western Conference race Sunday night, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 100-87 at American Airlines Center.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points in his second game back from an abdominal strain, helping Oklahoma City improve to 47-15 and remain within a half-game of Detroit for the league’s best record.
The reigning MVP shot 12-for-20 from the field and added five assists and four steals in 33 minutes. He has now scored at least 20 points in 59 consecutive road games, the longest such streak in NBA history.
Oklahoma City controlled the tempo and relied on its half-court execution, finishing 41-for-92 from the floor. The Thunder shot just 8-for-39 from 3-point range, but their defensive pressure limited Dallas to 39% shooting.
Chet Holmgren added 19 points and nine rebounds, anchoring the interior on both ends. The third-year big man went 8-for-14 from the field and posted a plus-13 rating.
The visitors held the Mavericks to a season-low 87 points and ended Dallas’ NBA-best active streak of 41 straight games scoring at least 100. It marked Oklahoma City’s lowest point total in a win this season.
Dallas, which fell to 21-39, was without rookie standout Cooper Flagg for a seventh straight game due to a sprained left foot. Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington Jr. also remained sidelined, while Klay Thompson did not play in the second half because of right adductor soreness.
With three regular starters out, the Mavericks struggled to generate consistent offense. Caleb Martin led the home side with a season-high 18 points on 6-for-11 shooting.
Brandon Williams and Max Christie each added 14 points, but Dallas committed 17 turnovers and managed just 20 assists on 33 made baskets. The loss was the club’s eighth straight at home and 13th in its last 15 overall.
Oklahoma City now holds a three-game lead over San Antonio in the West standings. The Thunder travel to Chicago on Tuesday, while Dallas opens a six-game road trip in Charlotte.
