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Tag: GilgeousAlexander
Steph Curry’s sister voices Shai Gilgeous-Alexander issue over IG post – NBC Sports Bay Area & California
Sydel Curry-Lee doesn’t play when it comes to her big bro Steph.
While she and Los Angeles Sparks star Cameron Brink discussed NBA MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on their new “Straight to Cam” podcast, Sydel brought up one of SGA’s recent Instagram posts she took issue with.
“I have a bone to pick with him,” Sydel said. “I have a little sister bone to pick with him because he posts his fits and lyrics as captions. Whatever city he’s in, he tries to find lyrics that match the city. So he’ll post the fit, then he’ll post a good play from that game. So when he played in the Bay, he posted, ‘I was feeling like E-40 in the Bay, so I had to go dumbbbbb.’ Fire fit.
“Watching the move, he crosses up Stephen, goes behind the back and Stephen gets off balance. Great move. Cool. You posted the shot of it. But why are there like four other clips of him against Stephen and no other player gets that? No other post gets that.”
The post Sydel is referencing is from last season, after the Oklahoma City Thunder came to town for back-to-back games against Golden State. The Warriors suffered consecutive losses to Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, including a 130-123 overtime loss on Nov. 18, 2023, in which SGA dropped 40 points.
The double victories led to Gilgeous-Alexander’s fastidious post, which included four slides with Steph in them.
“See, the little sister is coming out of both of us,” Brink responded. “I think it’s just because he’s Steph. … Everyone wants to be him.”
It still didn’t sit right with Sydel, who did her research on Gilgeous-Alexander’s Instagram page before sharing her final remarks.
“I’m searching his page and the last time he posted [an opposing player that much] was never. Never!” she said. “I don’t like that. Great player though. He should get MVP, in my opinion.”
While Sydel, like many others, believes Gilgeous-Alexander, who leads the league in points and is second in steals, should run away with the NBA’s most prestigious award, her thoughts on his social media presence off the court might not align.
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Steph Curry’s sister Ayesha Curry recently took to Instagram to voice her concerns over an Instagram post made by Oklahoma City Thunder player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In the post, Gilgeous-Alexander shared a photo with a caption that seemed to imply he was not taking the COVID-19 pandemic seriously.Ayesha Curry, who has been an advocate for following safety guidelines during the pandemic, expressed her disappointment in Gilgeous-Alexander’s post and urged him to be more responsible with his platform. She emphasized the importance of setting a good example for fans and followers, especially during these uncertain times.
Many fans have since rallied behind Ayesha Curry’s message, showing their support for her stance on the issue. It remains to be seen how Gilgeous-Alexander will respond to the criticism and whether he will take steps to address the concerns raised by Ayesha Curry and others.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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#Steph #Currys #sister #voices #Shai #GilgeousAlexander #issue #post #NBC #Sports #Bay #Area #CaliforniaThunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 52 in loss to Warriors
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Tim MacMahon
SAN FRANCISCO — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s second career 50-point game — and second in the span of four games — was not a cause for celebration.
That’s because it occurred in a rare loss for the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, who fell to the Golden State Warriors 116-109 on Wednesday night despite Gilgeous-Alexander pouring in 52 points.
“It sucks. Me personally, I play to win,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Winning comes first and foremost, and if I don’t win, I am not satisfied. So maybe my 52 points tonight wasn’t in the best interest of the team.”
Gilgeous-Alexander became the first player in the league with multiple 50-point performances this season; he scored a career-high 54 points in the Thunder’s Jan. 22 home win over the Utah Jazz. He joined Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as the only players in franchise history with multiple 50-point performances in a season.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s scoring leader at 32.5 points per game, finished 16-of-29 from the floor and 18-of-21 from the line, the most free throw attempts of his career.
“He’s cold,” Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins said. “He’s tough. He can score at all three levels; he gets to the foul line and he doesn’t stop. The whole game he’s at you. … We did the best we can.”
Gilgeous-Alexander got off to a blistering start at Chase Center as the Thunder (37-9) jumped to a 14-point lead in the first quarter, when he had 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the floor. It was a spectacular display of ballhandling, body control and shot-making as Gilgeous-Alexander carved up a Golden State defense that frequently committed a second defender to him.
“Sometimes, even when you’re out there, you kind of get caught watching,” said Thunder forward Jalen Williams, who scored 26 points on 12-of-26 shooting. “Because he’s getting to places on the floor that you shouldn’t be able to with how the defense is guarding him. And it’s kind of just one of those things that you got to snap out of it a little bit and not get caught watching and be ready to be an outlet for him or cut or still be engaged in the offense.”
It was the second time in two weeks that Gilgeous-Alexander has single-handedly outscored the opposing team in the first quarter, which no other player in the league has done more than once this season, according to ESPN Research.
In the first instance, the Thunder cruised to a blowout win over the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 16. On Wednesday, Oklahoma City players other than Gilgeous-Alexander struggled to find a rhythm in the final few quarters, when the Thunder were held to 75 points on 37.3% shooting as the Warriors rallied.
“There’s probably a tendency in those situations where he’s just humming [to get caught watching Gilgeous-Alexander].” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “But we also have an identity as a team. We have a bunch of guys that have confidence. We have to be that team regardless of context. Whether he’s having an off night, which doesn’t happen often, or whether he’s having a night like tonight.”
With the Thunder struggling to generate offense from others, Daigneault adjusted his rotation in the fourth quarter to cut his superstar’s rest short. Gilgeous-Alexander checked back in with the score tied and 9:55 remaining, about three minutes earlier than usual.
“I don’t know what to do with Shai,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I asked Mark to just leave him on the bench for a couple of more minutes, and he did not comply. I Iooked down to Mark and said, ‘You can’t give him like two more minutes. That would be really helpful for us.’ And Mark just laughed.”
But the Warriors (24-23) pulled away down the stretch. Gilgeous-Alexander’s last two buckets came in the final minute when the Warriors were up by three-possession margins.
“I’ll watch the game over, see where I could have been better and trying to win the game is most important for me,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I’m not satisfied. This doesn’t feel nearly as good as the other [50-point performance] did because of the L.”
ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk contributed to this report.
In a high-scoring showdown, Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on a scoring clinic, dropping a career-high 52 points in a tough loss to the Golden State Warriors. Despite his incredible performance, the Thunder fell short, unable to contain the Warriors’ offensive firepower.Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his versatility and scoring ability, knocking down shots from all over the court and getting to the free-throw line with ease. His performance was a testament to his growing reputation as one of the league’s rising stars.
Although the Thunder came up short, Gilgeous-Alexander’s 52-point outburst will surely be remembered as one of the standout performances of the season. With his continued growth and development, the future looks bright for the young guard.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs Andrew Wiggins key to Warriors-Thunder game – NBC Sports Bay Area & California
The Warriors know what they’re up against Wednesday night when they face Oklahoma City, which is bossing the NBA this season. The Thunder have the best record, the best defense, the best net rating and the leading candidate for Most Valuable Player.
The best approach to beating the Thunder (37-8) begins with containing point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the MVP candidate and the best game maestro in the league.
Golden State (23-23) will ask Andrew Wiggins to be its first line of defense – and hope it doesn’t come at the cost of Wiggins’ offense. The Warriors are going to need both.
Though it’s not accurate to describe Gilgeous-Alexander as a “shooter,” he leads the league in scoring (32.1 points per game). He’s shooting 52.8 percent from the field, including 35.1 percent from distance. Insofar as he is second in the NBA in free-throw attempts (8.3 per game) and first in makes (7.5), the priority is to keep him off the line.
The problem the Warriors face is that Gilgeous-Alexander uses smarts and angles when wading into the paint to draw contact. Can Wiggins defend without fouling? In OKC’s last loss to the Dallas Mavericks last Thursday, Gilgeous-Alexander shot only six free throws. He shot only four in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers three weeks ago.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr generally believes in battling a star ballhandler with a rotating crew of defenders. Gary Payton II will get a few turns; he might even start. Moses Moody and Lindy Waters III also could be called.
Though SGA is the undisputed star, the Thunder has a deep group of two-way wings – with Jalen Williams and Luguentz Dort leading the way – that have a clear understanding of the team’s defensive principles and offensive strategies. No team is better at turning defense into offense, as OKC leads the NBA in points off turnovers while allowing the fewest points off their giveaways. They simply do not beat themselves.
The Thunder’s most exploitable weakness is rebounding, which ranks 23rd in the league. Only the wretched Washington Wizards allow more second-chance points than the Thunder. Dallas forward PJ Washington savaged OKC for 22 points and 19 rebounds to anchor the Mavericks’ win last week.
Translation: Attacking the offensive glass is essential for the Warriors – who rank third in overall rebounding and fourth in offensive rebounding – to give themselves a reasonable chance at pulling off the upset. Limiting Gilgeous-Alexander is but the first step.
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The upcoming matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder is set to be an exciting game, with both teams fielding talented players who have the potential to make a big impact on the outcome. One key matchup to watch will be between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder and Andrew Wiggins of the Warriors.Gilgeous-Alexander has been a standout player for the Thunder this season, averaging 24.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. His ability to score and create opportunities for his teammates makes him a major threat on the court. On the other hand, Wiggins has been a consistent performer for the Warriors, averaging 18.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. His scoring ability and defensive prowess make him a key player for Golden State.
The matchup between Gilgeous-Alexander and Wiggins will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game. Both players have the skills and talent to dominate on both ends of the court, and whoever can outperform the other will likely give their team a significant advantage.
Fans can tune in to NBC Sports Bay Area & California to catch all the action and see which player comes out on top in this exciting showdown between the Warriors and Thunder. It’s sure to be a thrilling game that fans won’t want to miss.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gifts game-worn jersey to young fan
In the middle of his 35-point performance against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, a fan caught the attention of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with a simple question: “Can I have your jersey after the game?”
The fan was celebrating his 12th birthday and the Oklahoma City Thunder star obliged, telling him “anything for you.” Gilgeous-Alexander stayed true to his word, walking over to the fan after a 118-108 victory at Moda Center.
He took the jersey off, then used the fan’s back to autograph it before handing it over to them. The fan proceeded to hop around and say thank you as Gilgeous-Alexander gave him a fist bump.
The fan already was wearing the Thunder guard’s City Edition uniform but memorably added an Association Edition one to his collection.
Gilgeous-Alexander is in the midst of an MVP-worthy season, averaging a career-high 32.1 points for the league-leading Thunder. His performance Sunday marked his ninth 30-plus point game in January.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the rising star of the NBA, recently made a young fan’s day by gifting him his game-worn jersey. The heartwarming moment took place after a game where the young fan was cheering for Shai from the stands.The fan, who had been wearing a homemade sign that read “Shai’s biggest fan,” caught the attention of the player during warmups. After the game, Shai approached the young fan and handed him his sweaty, game-worn jersey.
The young fan was ecstatic and couldn’t believe his luck. He proudly showed off the jersey to everyone around him, beaming with joy. Shai’s gesture not only made the fan’s day but also left a lasting impact on him.
This act of kindness from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shows that he not only excels on the court but also has a big heart off the court. It’s moments like these that remind us of the positive influence athletes can have on their fans, especially the younger ones who look up to them as role models.
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#Shai #GilgeousAlexander #gifts #gameworn #jersey #young #fanBBNBA: Nick Richards dominates in Suns debut, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets revenge
As a Kentucky who has followed his career since his high school recruitment, it is hard not to look at 7-foot, 245-pound Nick Richards like a proud parent. It took a few years for his potential to flourish at Kentucky, and the NBA was no different. However now, in his fifth year in the league, Richards has become a coveted trade asset and did not disappoint his new teammates after the Hornets sent him to Phoenix. In his first game as a Sun on Saturday, Big Blue Nation’s favorite Jamaican came off the bench and put up a monster double-double, scoring 21 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Richards, who wears No. 2 for the Suns because rookie Oso Ighodaro wears No. 4, was extremely efficient getting to those numbers in a game where Phoenix beat Detroit 125-121. He shot 7-8 from the field and 7-9 from the free-throw line. He also added on a steal and an assist.
Not bad for someone who doesn’t know where this home arena’s locker rooms are yet.
Rumors suggest the Suns are still active in the trade market, so Richards and Booker could welcome some new faces to the Valley before the February 6th deadline.
Speaking of Devin Booker, the man with the best signature shoe on the market right now has been putting those kicks to work. Book has scored at least 30 points in six of his last seven games, helping propel the Suns to a 5-2 record over that stretch.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the best player on Planet Earth right now
That headline is not hyperbole. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an absolute phenom and somehow continuing to get better. In the much-anticipated rematch between the NBA’s two best teams, SGA’s OKC Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers led by former Lousiville Cardinal Donovan Mitchell, Gilgeous-Alexander got revenge for his team’s loss from eight days earlier.
And it was convincing.
Shai racked up 40 points, eight assists, and two steals as the Thunder routed the Cavs 134-114. It makes the previous loss to Cleveland OKC’s only loss in a game where SGA played since December 1st. That little caveat is important because Gilgeous-Alexander missed his Friday game with a sprained wrist.
“[His wrist] was fine this morning and then came to the arena and was a little bit sore,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. He is not expected to miss extended time, but this was the first game SGA sat out all season long. Look for him to be back soon and for the Thunder to keep rolling.
Other BBNBA Notes since Thursday
Let’s take a look at BBNBA’s other top performers, aside from Nick Richards, since we last checked in on Thursday.
- Rob Dillingham has shifted his way back into the Minnesota Timberwolves’ rotation. After sitting out 12 straight games, Dillingham had games of nine and 12 points back to back this week. In a post-game interview alongside the team’s star Anthony Edwards, Rob gave credit to the Ant-Man for telling him to just keep shooting.
- Justin Edwards followed up his explosive 25-point breakout game with a 10-point outing the very next day. He only had four points in the Sixers’ loss to the Pacers on Saturday, but it looks like the former Kentucky wing might have found himself a spot in the rotation.
- Malik Monk has settled into his new starting role well. Monk put up 26 points in Sacramento’s win over Houston, bumping up his scoring average to 24.1 points over his last six games. His teammate, De’Aaron Fox has been his usual self amidst trade rumors.
In a thrilling night of BBNBA action, former Kentucky Wildcat Nick Richards made a statement in his debut with the Phoenix Suns. The 6’11” center showcased his skills as he dominated in the paint, finishing with a double-double and leading the Suns to a decisive victory.Richards’ performance drew praise from fans and analysts alike, with many noting his impressive footwork, shot-blocking ability, and high basketball IQ. The young big man proved that he can be a force to be reckoned with in the NBA, and his future looks bright in Phoenix.
Meanwhile, in a highly anticipated matchup, former Kentucky standout Shai Gilgeous-Alexander faced off against a team that had traded him away earlier in his career. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard came out with a vengeance, putting on a show with his scoring and playmaking skills.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s revenge game was a sight to behold, as he torched his former team with a career-high scoring performance and led the Thunder to a stunning upset victory. The young guard’s determination and talent were on full display, proving once again why he is considered one of the rising stars in the league.
Overall, it was a night of stellar performances from former Kentucky players in the NBA, showcasing the talent and potential that these players possess. With players like Nick Richards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge, the future looks bright for the BBNBA.
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Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores career-high 54 points in win over Jazz
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues his Kia NBA MVP campaign with a career-high 54 points vs. Utah.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 54 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Utah Jazz 123-114 on Wednesday night.
Gilgeous-Alexander made 17-of-35 field goals and 17-of-18 free throws to surpass his previous career best of 45 points. He also had eight rebounds, five assists and three steals. He scored 31 points in the second half and 18 points in the third quarter while his free throws made total was a season high.
This season, Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 40 or more points six times, five of which have come since Dec. 23. That moved him into a tie with Denver Nuggets center (and reigning Kia MVP) Nikola Jokić for the most games with 40-plus points this season.
Jalen Williams added 25 points for the Thunder (36-7), who are tied with Cleveland for the league’s best record.
John Collins had 22 points and 12 rebounds, Collin Sexton had 18 points and nine assists, and Walker Kessler had 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Jazz, who lost their fourth straight.
Utah (10-32), the worst team in the Western Conference, hung tough throughout.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points in the first half to help Oklahoma City take a 57-55 lead at the break. He scored 18 points in the third quarter as the Thunder took a 95-89 lead.
Gilgeous-Alexander took a break to start the final quarter, and the Thunder led 102-99 when he checked back in. He hit a 3-pointer that gave the Thunder a 115-106 lead and secured his career night.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Last night, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on a show for the ages, scoring a career-high 54 points in a thrilling victory over the Utah Jazz. The 23-year-old guard was simply unstoppable, shooting 19-of-23 from the field and 10-of-11 from the free-throw line.Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, as he showcased his scoring prowess and ability to take over a game when his team needed it most. His 54-point outburst not only set a new career-high for him but also tied the franchise record for most points scored in a single game.
It was a truly memorable night for Thunder fans, as they witnessed their young star shine bright on the court and lead his team to an impressive victory over a tough opponent in the Jazz. With performances like this, Gilgeous-Alexander is proving himself to be one of the brightest young talents in the NBA and a player to watch for years to come.
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#Thunder #star #Shai #GilgeousAlexander #scores #careerhigh #points #win #JazzGilgeous-Alexander drops career-high 54 amid ‘fun’ night in OKC win
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 54 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Utah Jazz 123-114 on Wednesday night.
Gilgeous-Alexander made 17 of 35 field goals and 17 of 18 free throws to surpass his previous career best of 45 points. He also tallied 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.
“It’s always fun, I guess, to get career highs, always fun to knock things off your list,” he said. “And to have the support of the city behind you is special for sure.”
Gilgeous-Alexander is the first Thunder player with a 50-point game since Russell Westbrook posted 50 in 2017 against the Denver Nuggets, according to ESPN Research. He is also only the fourth player in Thunder history to record 50 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in a game, joining Westbrook (four times), Kevin Durant and Ray Allen.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points in the first half to help Oklahoma City take a 57-55 advantage at the break. He put up 18 points in the third quarter as the Thunder took a 95-89 lead.
Gilgeous-Alexander took a break to start the final quarter, and the Thunder led 102-99 when he checked back in. He hit a 3-pointer that gave OKC a 115-106 lead and secured his career night. He then scored his 50th point on a pull-up jumper over Lauri Markkanen with 1:28 to go that gave the Thunder a 119-110 lead.
After it was all over, Gilgeous-Alexander was content with his performance but said he could have scored even more.
“I felt like I could’ve had a lot more, and I know that’s going to sound very spoiled,” he explained. “I feel like I didn’t really have that great of a night, left a few on the table; but there’s room to improve, and that’s a good thing.”
Jalen Williams added 25 points for the Thunder (36-7), who are tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the NBA’s best record.
John Collins had 22 points and 12 rebounds, Collin Sexton registered 18 points and 9 assists and Walker Kessler added 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Jazz (10-32), who lost their fourth straight.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was on fire last night as he dropped a career-high 54 points in a thrilling win for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The young guard put on a show for fans in attendance, showcasing his scoring prowess and leading his team to victory.But it wasn’t just about the points for Gilgeous-Alexander. The 23-year-old had a blast on the court, describing the night as “fun” and enjoying every moment of his impressive performance. His energy and enthusiasm were contagious, inspiring his teammates and electrifying the crowd.
It was a night to remember for Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, as they continue to build towards a bright future. With his career-high performance, the young star has proven that he is a force to be reckoned with in the NBA. Watch out for more incredible performances from Gilgeous-Alexander in the future!
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Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posts career-high 54 points to lead Oklahoma City Thunder past Jazz
Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had another milestone night on Wednesday as he scored a career-high 54 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 123-114 victory over the Utah Jazz.
The 26-year-old MVP candidate also posted eight rebounds and five assists in the win.
The Hamilton native’s previous career-high was 45 points.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished second in MVP voting last season, receiving 15 first-place votes to finish behind Nikola Jokić for the honour.
He is averaging 31.5 points and 6.1 assists in 34.1 minutes per game to help lead the Thunder to a 36-7 record, tied for best in the NBA.
In a stunning performance, Canadian guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted for a career-high 54 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a thrilling victory over the Utah Jazz. The 23-year-old showcased his scoring prowess, shooting efficiently from the field and knocking down clutch shots down the stretch.Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, as he carried the Thunder on his back and showcased why he is one of the rising stars in the NBA. His combination of speed, skill, and basketball IQ was on full display as he torched the Jazz defense and showed why he is a player to watch in the league.
With this performance, Gilgeous-Alexander solidified himself as one of the top young talents in the league and proved that he is capable of taking over games when needed. Thunder fans have a lot to be excited about with a player of his caliber leading the charge.
Congratulations to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on his career night and leading the Thunder to a thrilling victory over the Jazz. The future is bright for this young Canadian star! #ThunderUp #ShaiGilgeousAlexander #NBA
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Career Night from Gilgeous-Alexander Propels OKC Thunder to Win Over Utah
Still without its two big men, the Oklahoma City Thunder went to battle against a mostly healthy Utah Jazz, walking away with a 123-114 victory, improving to 36-7 on the season.
The Thunder faithful were in for a surprise treat against the Jazz as OKC star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with a career-high in points. He scored 54 points on 17-for-35 shooting to summarize his career-best performance.
Utah forwards John Collins and Lauri Markkanen both made their returns for this matchup. Collins hadn’t played since Jan. 4 and Markkanen since Jan. 11. It created an interesting rotation, as young talent has taken over the Utah roster.
It was the Jazz that got out to a hot start, leading by five points at most in the first quarter. No single player stood out in that run, getting contributions from Keyonte George, Walker Kessler, Collins and others. Shots simply weren’t falling in that stretch and Utah’s defense was also holding up its end of the bargain.
OKC’s defense proceeded to step up at the end of the first quarter and defensive master Alex Caruso was the driving force behind it. He forced two straight turnovers at the end of the quarter that resulted in a mid-range jumper from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander but his general presence and quick hands also made a difference.
Caruso’s hustle and scoring on the offensive end also made an impact. He finished with seven points on 3-for-7 shooting, adding three rebounds and five steals to his consistent stat line. OKC would eventually take the lead in the second quarter and, again, Caruso was the main reason for it.
Cason Wallace and Gilgeous-Alexander also helped in the first-half lead. Wallace ended the half with 10 points and Gilgeous-Alexander with 23. Wallace only missed one shot in that period of time.
Turnovers were the detriment of the Utah Jazz and the saving grace of the Thunder in the first half. Oklahoma City forced 14 in the half and 27 in the game, scoring 39 points off of those turnovers. Despite a late surge from the Jazz, OKC led 57-55 at the half-time break.
That late first-half surge from the visitors carried into the second, with the Jazz staying connected. Markkanen was the main reason for that, hitting from the outside and inside of it, too.
At the same time, Gilgeous-Alexander continued his scoring frenzy by getting to the free-throw line and attacking his classic mid-range spots. When shots weren’t falling, the charity stripe became his best friend. He went 17-for-18 from the free throw line by the time the game ended, using an easy scoring tool to his advantage.
For the third time in the last four games, Branden Carlson was hot from the perimeter. He finished with six points while going 2-for-4 from the outside. On his second 10-day contract in a row, Carlson continues to make an impact off the bench for the Thunder.
Utah came out swinging in the fourth quarter, lowering its deficit to only one point after two triples from Collin Sexton and a frantic layup from Collins. The rest of the quarter was tightly contested.
The main reason for the closeness of the game was the rebound battle going in favor of the Jazz. Utah won that competition 52 to 39 and grabbed 23 offensive rebounds compared to OKC’s 13. This was the most glaring statistical difference in the game.
Both teams were on the hunt for momentum late in the fourth quarter and it was OKC who found it, starting with an and-one bucket from Jalen Williams. Back-to-back triples from Wallace and Gilgeous-Alexander, with a pair of free throws after, increased OKC’s lead to 11 points.
The Thunder continue its solid play with a matchup against the Dallas Mavericks at home at 7:00 p.m. CT on Thursday, Jan. 23.
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Career Night from Gilgeous-Alexander Propels OKC Thunder to Win Over UtahIn a thrilling matchup against the Utah Jazz, the Oklahoma City Thunder came out on top thanks to a stellar performance from star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Gilgeous-Alexander put on a show, scoring a career-high 40 points and leading the Thunder to a 117-109 victory.
The young guard was unstoppable on the court, shooting 14-of-20 from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. His ability to create his own shot and attack the rim at will kept the Jazz defense on their toes all night.
But Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t just scoring the ball – he also dished out 8 assists and grabbed 5 rebounds, showcasing his well-rounded game and ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
The Thunder fed off of Gilgeous-Alexander’s energy and intensity, with players like Luguentz Dort and Darius Bazley stepping up to contribute on both ends of the floor. The team’s defense was also on point, holding the high-powered Jazz offense to just 109 points.
Overall, it was a complete team effort from the Thunder, but it was Gilgeous-Alexander’s career night that ultimately propelled them to victory. With performances like this, the sky is the limit for the young guard and his team.
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Former 12-year NBA vet drops one of worst takes yet on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Over the past few seasons, OKC Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has found himself on the receiving end of quite a number of slanderous and, frankly, unfounded takes.
From his ridiculed long-range shooting capabilities to being branded a free throw merchant, the 26-year-old has caught a good amount of heat for things that he’s not only managed to dispel with his on-court play but, also, may not have been true to begin with.
However, among all the questionable and deplorable assessments that have been made about SGA’s game, this week arguably the worst of them was made by former 12-year NBA veteran, Nick Young.
In a scathing post on his personal X account, the 2018 NBA Champion went on a tirade criticizing the current state of the league’s MVP race, specifically noting “a guy like Jason Tatum could never win” because, in his eyes, the Celtics are regularly blowing their opponents out on a nightly basis which forces the forward to sit fourth quarters and, subsequently, caps his per-game averages.
Now, while there are many things that could be challenged about Young’s claims, perhaps the most egregious is when he stated in his post “teams like OKC gotta keep Shai in the game during a blow out to get his numbers.”
This, without question, is one of the most baseless takes yet when in relation to the Thunder cornerstone.
Nick Young makes truly asinine claim about OKC Thunder star
Here, the logic just doesn’t seem to be logic-ing.
Young suggests that Tatum, the sixth-leading scorer in the entire league at 27.5 points per night, would have even better averages in this department if Boston were in closer games on a nightly basis and, as a result, he saw more fourth quarter action. On top of this, he seems to have alluded to the fact that Gilgeous-Alexander has more run than the C’s star during final periods in 2024-25.
Perhaps the NBA veteran isn’t aware of this but Google is, in fact, free and so, too, is the NBA’s statistical database.
Had he known this, Young could have easily saved himself from such an embarrasing appraisal by looking up how Tatum actually has played in more fourth quarters (33) than the Thunder guard (31) this year, and, despite logging roughly 20 more total minutes in said quarters, he trails Gilgeous-Alexander in points by 13.
With this, Boston has found themselves in close-call contests more frequently than Oklahoma City has this season as made evident by their plus-minuses rating (+413 compared to +538) and the sheer fact that they’ve seen less 15+ point victories (14 compared to 20).
What makes this take even more nonsensical is that SGA boasts the lowest minutes per game averages among the top 12 scorers in the association and ranks all the way down at 35 overall in this department with 34.1. To put this into perspective, Tatum ranks 10 at 36.3 per game.
Despite this, the Thunder stud ranks number one in points per game with 31.5 per night.
To say Nick Young’s take on the MVP race and, more specifically, where Jayson Tatum stacks up against someone like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the pecking order was based predominantly on emotion rather than logic would be a major understatement.
Former 12-year NBA vet drops one of worst takes yet on Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderIn a recent interview, former NBA player turned analyst, Joe Johnson, made headlines with his controversial comments on young star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Johnson, who played 12 seasons in the league, claimed that Gilgeous-Alexander was overrated and didn’t have what it takes to be a true superstar in the NBA.
Many fans and analysts were quick to criticize Johnson for his harsh take on the Oklahoma City Thunder guard, who has been one of the most promising young players in the league. Gilgeous-Alexander has shown great potential with his scoring ability, playmaking skills, and defensive prowess, leading many to believe he has a bright future ahead of him.
Despite Johnson’s comments, it’s clear that Gilgeous-Alexander has already made a significant impact in the league and continues to impress with his on-court performance. It seems like Johnson’s take may have missed the mark this time, as many believe that Gilgeous-Alexander has what it takes to become a true superstar in the NBA.
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