WASHINGTON (AP) – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points, Chet Holmgren added 31 and the Oklahoma City Thunder led most of the way in a 136-128 victory over the Washington Wizards yesterday.
Jalen Williams added 21 points and 10 assists for the Thunder, who avoided a third loss following defeats at Atlanta and Brooklyn to begin a four-game road trip.
Williams’ assists were part of a season-high 37 for Oklahoma City. Josh Giddey had nine, while Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren each added five.
Oklahoma City, which entered as the NBA’s second-best shooters, went 59.1 per cent (52 of 88) from the floor and 50 per cent (14 of 28) from three-point range, narrowly missing season highs in both categories.
Holmgren spearheaded that effort, making 11 of 14 shots and going four of five from beyond the arc.
Jordan Poole scored 24 points, and Kyle Kuzma added 22 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in Washington’s fifth-straight defeat.
Tyus Jones added 18 points and had nine assists for the Wizards, who lost despite going 46.9 per cent (15 of 32) from three-point range.
But Kuzma – Washington’s leader in average 3s made and attempted – missed on all five of his attempts from beyond the arc. And after his layup pulled Washington to within 100-97 late in the third, Gilgeous-Alexander answered with a driving bank shot before the period expired.
Williams’ 11 fourth-quarter points helped ensure the Thunder maintained a multiple-possession lead for the remainder of the contest, even though it never grew larger than 13.
