The Oklahoma City Thunder earned their 12th winning streak against the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers 123-103 on Monday night.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 22 points, Jalen Williams added 18 in his return to the lineup.
Jaylin Williams contributed 18 points off the bench and Chet Holmgren had 17 for the Thunder.
Jared McCain dropped 13 points in his first game against his former team 76ers since last month’s trade.
On the other hand, VJ Edgecombe led Philadelphia with 35 points, who played without Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George. Philadelphia began the day as the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament but was just a half-game back of fifth-place Toronto.
For Oklahoma, Williams was back in the lineup after missing 16 games with a right hamstring strain.
McCain helped the Thunder jump out to a 35-25 lead after the first quarter with a pair of 3-pointers.
The Thunder increased its lead to 24 and never was threatened after taking a 65-43 lead into halftime.
Meanwhile, Embiid sat out again with a right oblique strain, and worked out on the court Monday and is scheduled to have a more grueling session Tuesday, but coach Nick Nurse said that there is still no timetable for Embiid’s return
Maxey was sidelined for the ninth consecutive game with a right finger tendon strain. Kelly Oubre Jr. (left elbow sprain) has missed seven straight, and Quentin Grimes (illness) also didn’t play.
For the Thunder, Ajay Mitchell also watched while serving a one-game suspension for fighting in Saturday’s 132-111 win at Washington. Jaylin Williams and Cason Wallace each were fined for their role in the fight, $50,000 and $35,000, respectively.
Both teams will play on Wednesday: the Thunder visit Boston, while the 76ers host Chicago.
