Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Shines with Career-High 54 Points in Thunder’s Victory Over Jazz
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on an unforgettable performance Wednesday night, pouring in a career-high 54 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 123-114 win over the Utah Jazz.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominant performance included eight rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks, showcasing his all-around skills and further solidifying his status as a top contender for this season’s MVP award. His scoring outburst marked the first 50-point game of his career and was the key factor in the Thunder’s victory, which saw 16 lead changes throughout the game.
Despite the impressive display, Gilgeous-Alexander downplayed his individual achievement after the game. “I just tried to be aggressive, tried to make the right basketball play and then from there just trust the work – it was no different from any other night,” he said. “I had a few more points tonight, but it was nothing special.”
Jalen Williams provided solid support with 25 points, while Cason Wallace chipped in 13 points off the bench.
For the Jazz, John Collins led the way with 22 points, but Utah’s struggles continue as they fall to 10-32, sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
Cleveland Cavaliers Stumble in Houston; Rockets Snag Win in Thrilling Finish
Elsewhere in the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers suffered a heart-breaking 109-108 defeat to the Houston Rockets. Cleveland had rallied in the fourth quarter with 19 unanswered points, pushing them to a six-point lead with less than four minutes remaining. However, Houston fought back to tie the game at 107-107 with just five seconds left.
Alperen Sengun then nailed two free throws, giving the Rockets the lead. In a dramatic turn of events, the Cavaliers had a chance to win the game when Darius Garland was fouled while attempting a game-winning three-pointer. However, Garland missed both free throws with only three seconds left, allowing Houston to escape with the victory.
Rockets guard Fred VanVleet led the charge with 26 points, including seven three-pointers. “I don’t know what happened – a sloppy game,” VanVleet said. “But I thought we deserved that. We fought hard. Sometimes good things go your way, and sometimes they don’t. Tonight they did at the end and we were able to close it out.”
With the win, the Rockets improve to 29-14, sitting second in the Western Conference standings.
Mavs Fall to Timberwolves in Close Battle
The Dallas Mavericks, still without the injured Luka Dončić, suffered a narrow 115-114 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kyrie Irving poured in 36 points, while P.J. Washington added 30 to keep Dallas in the game. However, the Timberwolves’ balanced offense proved too much, as all five of their starters scored in double figures.
Jaden Ivey led Minnesota with 27 points, while Anthony Edwards added 21. Despite the loss, Dallas continues to struggle without Dončić, leaving them to reflect on a hard-fought defeat.
Memphis Grizzlies Continue Strong Run with Win Over Hornets
In Memphis, the Grizzlies extended their winning streak to four games with a 132-120 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Desmond Bane’s 24 points led the Grizzlies, who improved to 29-15 and sit third in the Western Conference.
Brooklyn Nets Suffer Fifth Straight Loss in Blowout to Suns
The Brooklyn Nets’ struggles continued with a fifth straight loss, falling 108-84 to the Phoenix Suns. Devin Booker starred with 32 points, and Kevin Durant added 24 points against his former team, sending Brooklyn to another tough defeat. The Nets’ rough stretch highlights their ongoing issues, as they look to rebound in the coming games.
