PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matched his profession excessive with 44 factors to steer the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 138-129 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday evening.
Gilgeous-Alexander was 13 of 16 from the ground and hit 18 of 19 free-throw makes an attempt. He is the primary participant in Thunder historical past to attain 40-plus factors on 80% capturing. He additionally had seven assists.
“Shot a lot of free throws tonight for sure. That helps,” he stated. “I just played in my comfort zone tonight. I tried to put pressure on the defense a lot.”
Josh Giddey added 19 factors for the Thunder, who had misplaced three of their earlier 5 video games.
Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 38 factors, and Jerami Grant added 23.
It was back-and-forth for a lot of the sport, however Portland went up 112-103 within the fourth quarter on Anfernee Simons’ 3-pointer.
But the Thunder took over, boosted by a 16-2 run.
Oklahoma City closed inside 112-111 on Isaiah Joe’s 3-pointer after which went forward on Giddey’s jumper with 7:31 left. Lillard answered with a basket that gave Portland again a slim lead.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s dunk gave Oklahoma City a 119-114 lead with 5:22 to go. Lu Dort’s 3-pointer made it 129-121 with 2:45 left to all however seal it for the Thunder. Dort completed with 18 factors off the bench.
“From halftime on we were saying internally that we were going to have to get stops if we wanted to get the game — otherwise it was going to be a scoring fest, first to 140-type thing,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault stated. “It took us a while to get there … but once we got going, we got into nice defensive rhythm, we were really active, really helping each other, really engaged.”
The Trail Blazers began Cam Reddish, who they acquired in a commerce earlier than the deadline with the Knicks. Reddish scored 11 factors beginning instead of Josh Hart, who was despatched to New York within the deal.
“We just couldn’t stop a nosebleed, man. It was really bad,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups stated. “But it started you know at the start, really. And they’re a tough team to guard. They really are.”
Grant was hit within the face halfway via the primary quarter and fell to the court docket. He stayed down for a number of moments earlier than heading to the locker room. He returned within the second quarter.
There was drama Friday evening surrounding one other Portland transfer on the commerce deadline: Guard Gary Payton II, despatched to the Warriors in a four-team commerce, had reportedly flunked his bodily — placing the commerce in jeopardy.
Blazers normal supervisor Joe Cronin spoke to the media earlier than the sport and stated he had solely simply seen the news, first reported by The Athletic, and couldn’t remark.
Oklahoma City was additionally energetic earlier than Thursday’s commerce deadline, buying Justin Jackson and draft picks from the Boston Celtics in alternate for ahead/middle Mike Muscala. Jackson was waived on Friday.
The Thunder additionally acquired Dario Saric, a 2029 second-round draft decide and money issues from the Phoenix Suns in alternate for ahead Darius Bazley. Saric was not but with the workforce.
Lillard had 20 factors within the opening quarter and the Blazers had a slim 35-33 lead.
The Thunder pulled forward late within the first half and led 72-68 on the break. Gilgeous-Alexander led all gamers with 24 factors.
Shaedon Sharpe’s 3-pointer gave the Blazers a 105-103 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
TIP INS
Thunder: Oklahoma City received the primary two conferences with the Blazers this season. … The Thunder signed ahead Eugene Omoruyi to a regular contract Friday, bumping him up from a two-way contract.
Trail Blazers: It was the third of a five-game homestand for the Blazers, who went 1-1 to start out. … Portland opened the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run however couldn’t maintain the momentum.
UP NEXT
Thunder: Host New Orleans on Monday.
Trail Blazers Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.
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