Thunder crush Grizzlies, stretch home win streak to 9
Mar 10, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) shoots a three point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second quarter at Paycom Center. credits: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 124-93 win over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.
Gilgeous-Alexander hit a season-high five 3-pointers, going 5-for-7 from beyond the arc, as the Thunder led from the opening bucket.
Oklahoma City stayed hot at home, stretching their winning streak on their home court to nine, the longest active home streak in the NBA.
The Thunder have won three consecutive games and 10 of their last 12 to move into the top spot in the Western Conference.
The Grizzlies have dropped back-to-back games and 16 of their last 20.
While Gilgeous-Alexander continued to shine for Oklahoma City, it was Josh Giddey's continuing resurgence that helped the Thunder quickly seize control.
Giddey had a hand in Oklahoma City's first 10 points, starting with a steal from Luke Kennard and a layup for the game's first basket that turned into a three-point play.
Giddey had two assists and added another bucket in the first three-plus minutes of the game.
Giddey finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals.
By midway through the first quarter, the Thunder had a lead that wouldn't shrink to fewer than 11. After halftime, the margin never got closer than 21.
Rookie Cason Wallace added a season-high 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting in the win and Luguentz Dort scored 14 on 5-of-5 shooting, including four 3-pointers.
The Thunder shot 52.7 percent from the field.
It was a rough night for Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams.
In the first quarter, Williams turned his ankle near midcourt and had to go to the locker room for treatment before returning to start the second quarter.
Less than four minutes into the second quarter, Williams drove to the basket, cutting between Lamar Stevens and Trey Jamison for a layup. But as Williams spun around following the shot, he twisted his ankle again, stepping on a cameraman underneath the basket, and left the game for good with a right ankle sprain.
Rookie GG Jackson led the Grizzlies with a career-high 30 points.
—-Field Level Media