Post by : Maya Rahman

The Oklahoma City Thunder showcased their prowess with an emphatic 122-95 win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, marking their ninth consecutive victory. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spearheaded the effort, racking up 37 points while also contributing seven assists and five rebounds.

This contest was a sequel to their clash on November 5, where the Blazers had handed the Thunder their only loss this season. This time, Oklahoma City made a dynamic start, swiftly seizing the matchup through the efforts of Gilgeous-Alexander. The star player set the tone early with a steal on the second possession followed by a step-back jumper three minutes in, giving the Thunder a lead they would not relinquish.

By the end of the first quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander had tallied 17 points, shooting an impressive six of seven from the field. His rapid-fire offensive presence, alongside two steals and an assist, helped the Thunder build a commanding 21-point lead. The Blazers struggled to find their rhythm, failing to score in their last four attempts during the quarter, which contributed to Oklahoma City's 12-2 run. The Thunder capitalized on Portland’s early mistakes, scoring 11 points from five turnovers in the first quarter.

The dominance continued for the Thunder throughout the subsequent quarters. The Blazers never managed to cut the deficit to fewer than 16 points, with Oklahoma City extending their lead to a staggering 36 points at times. Ajay Mitchell played a significant role off the bench, contributing 20 points and achieving a perfect shooting night, which helped the team maintain an impressive shooting percentage of 52.3%. With contributions from Isaiah Joe and a strong showing from Isaiah Hartenstein, who led the team in rebounds with 15, the Thunder's depth was on full display.

Entering the fourth quarter with a 28-point advantage, Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort were benched, indicating the game was sealed for the Thunder. Their strong home record improved to 8-0, demonstrating their impressive run with 17 victories out of 18 games to kick off the season.

On the other hand, Portland faced significant offensive struggles, shooting only 37% from the floor and a meager 25.5% from beyond the arc. Jerami Grant led the Blazers with 21 points, while Deni Avdija managed only 11 points on a tough shooting night, missing 12 of his 16 attempts. This defeat was Portland’s fifth in the last six outings, reflecting their difficulties in matching up with the Thunder's quick tempo and energetic style of play.

The Thunder’s victory is a clear testament to their cohesive play, shooting efficiency, and the impactful presence of Gilgeous-Alexander, who continues to solidify his status as a central figure for Oklahoma City. With balanced team efforts and pivotal contributions from bench players like Mitchell, the Thunder are proving to be a formidable force in this NBA season.

#Sports News