SHAI Gilgeous-Alexander scored 51 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 137-128 home win over the Houston Rockets on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).
It was Gilgeous-Alexander’s fourth game with 50 or more points this season and ninth game with 40 or more points—both tops in the NBA. He had never produced a 50-point game in his career before January.
Gilgeous-Alexander shot 18 of 30 from the floor and 5 of 9 on 3-point attempts while adding seven assists and five rebounds.
Oklahoma City has won four consecutive games and 13 of its past 15. The Thunder registered their 50th win of the season before any other team in the conference hit 40 wins. Oklahoma City is the first team to accomplish that feat since the 2004-05 Miami Heat.
In other games, it was the Warriors 119, Hornets 101; Hawks 132, Grizzlies 130; Blazers 119, Sixers 102; Pistons 134, Jazz 106; Heat 106, Wizards 90; and Kings 122, Mavs 98.
Warriors 119, Hornets 101
Buddy Hield racked up 22 points and Stephen Curry scored 21 points in his hometown as Golden State defeated host Charlotte.
BrandinPodziemski added 19 points and 11 rebounds, Draymond Green finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds and seven rebounds and Jimmy Butler III had 13points as seven different Golden State players made at least one 3-point shot. Hield connected five times from beyond the arc.
Charlotte’s losing streak reached seven games despite 35 points from Miles Bridges and 25 points from LaMelo Ball. Mark Williams provided 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Hornets, who committed 17 turnovers. TidjaneSalaun had 10 points off the bench.
Hawks 132, Grizzlies 130
CarisLeVert’s reverse layup at the buzzer lifted visiting Atlanta to a victory over Memphis, spoiling the first career triple-double by Desmond Bane.
Levert scored 21 of his 25 points in the second half. ZaccharieRisacher led the Hawks with 27 points, Onyeka Okongwu added 16 points and 12 rebounds, Daniels contributed 14 points and Trae Young finished with 12 points and 15 assists.
Bane scored a season-high 35 points—including 18 in the third quarter—and added 10 points and 10 assists. Luke Kennard had 17 points and seven assists. The Grizzlies lost their third game in a row and have dropped six of their last eight. Jaren Jackson Jr. injured his left ankle 1:39 into the game and did not return.
