{p dir=”ltr”}OKLAHOMA CITY – Monday night time ought to’ve been about Damian Lillard, who dominated the fourth quarter whereas main the Portland Trail Blazers near a victory.
Instead, in a matter of seconds, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stole the highlight with a 14-foot pull-up jumper that sealed the win for the Thunder, 123-121.
“Just get the ball in our best player’s hands,” Thunder guard Kenrich Williams mentioned on what was going by way of his thoughts on the ultimate play. “Any time it’s late in the game, we trust Shai.”
Gilgeous-Alexander’s teammates mobbed him following the buzzer-beater because the shorthanded Thunder gained its second consecutive recreation towards a totally wholesome Western Conference playoff contender.
After beginning 2-of-12 from the sphere, Gilgeous-Alexander completed the night time with 35 factors on 10-of-24 taking pictures and 14-of-14 from the free-throw line. In six fourth-quarter minutes, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 12 factors on 4-of-7 taking pictures.
Here are three different ideas on the Thunder’s two-point win over the Trail Blazers:
Close contest all through
Historically talking, the Thunder and Trail Blazers at all times play tight video games. The northwest division foes are very conversant in one another as they play a minimum of 4 instances a season.
That was the case as soon as once more on Monday. The recreation noticed 13 lead modifications and 13 ties all through the sport. Neither staff created separation because the Trail Blazer’s largest lead was 10 factors and the Thunder’s largest lead was eight factors.
Neither staff grew a lead bigger than two possessions throughout the complete second half.
The lead modified 4 separate instances within the remaining minute of the sport.
Thunder bench steps up
With the Thunder solely having 10 gamers accessible, all people noticed the ground. All 10 gamers performed for a minimum of 10 minutes.
Off the bench, the Thunder outscored the Trail Blazers, 42-26. Sharpshooters Isaiah Joe and Mike Muscala performed big roles as they every scored 11 factors individually and mixed to go 7-of-11 from outdoors.
Kenrich Williams additionally completed with 12 factors on 5-of-7 taking pictures. The Thunder retains preaching a ‘next man up’ mentality and whereas that’s an oversaturated sports activities cliche, it continues to show to be the case.
Damian Lillard makes historical past
Entering Monday, Lillard wanted 21 factors to move Clyde Drexler for the all-time scoring chief in Trail Blazers historical past. The Thunder PA announcer addressed the historic accomplishment throughout a timeout and the group gave Lillard a spherical of applause.
Lillard reached that mark within the third quarter when he sank in a pair of free throws. Lillard completed with 28 factors on 9-of-17 taking pictures and 6-of-12 outdoors taking pictures.
When requested concerning the feat, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was very complimentary of Lillard and mentioned he’s well-respected across the league.
“I think the thing that is most impressive to me about him is the respect that he has. [It’s] authentic with integrity and respect from his peers,” Daigneault mentioned.
“There’s guys around the NBA — not to mention any names — that when (you) kind of unpack the people that play with them, against them for a long period of time, it’s a little bit dicey. He’s just never one of those guys. The guys in the league just respect him as just a real dude that’s a real winner that has real toughness. That’s a real team guy. I don’t know him but anytime the peer group treats somebody like that, you take notice.”
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