Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a second-half masterclass, scoring 20 of his 32 points after the break to power the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Houston Rockets, 111-96, on Saturday night. With the win, the Thunder secured a spot in the NBA Cup championship game, where they will face the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. The victory also extended Oklahoma City’s winning streak to five games, solidifying their status as one of the hottest teams in the league.
The game was a battle of Western Conference heavyweights, with both teams showcasing their depth and potential as playoff contenders. Early on, it was a defensive grind, as the Thunder trailed 42-41 at halftime. Gilgeous-Alexander, who entered the game averaging over 30 points per contest, struggled to find his rhythm in the first half but made adjustments in the second. Attacking the basket relentlessly, he earned 15 trips to the free-throw line, converting 14 of them to spark Oklahoma City’s offense.
The turning point came midway through the fourth quarter. Clinging to a slim lead, the Thunder erupted for a 13-3 run, stretching the advantage to 97-82 with just under five minutes to play. Isaiah Hartenstein provided crucial support with 21 points, while Jalen Williams added 20 and Luguentz Dort contributed 19 points and nine rebounds, giving OKC a balanced scoring attack.
For Houston, Amen Thompson led the way with 19 points, part of a balanced effort that saw six Rockets score in double figures. Alperen Sengun added a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. However, the Rockets couldn’t keep pace with the Thunder’s explosive second half, where Oklahoma City poured in 70 points. Fred VanVleet’s shooting slump continued, as the Rockets’ point guard went just 1-for-11 from beyond the arc, compounding Houston’s offensive struggles.
Despite the loss, the Rockets’ strong start to the season suggests they’ll remain a force in the Western Conference. However, on this night, the Thunder’s resilience and star power proved too much to overcome, and let’s grade the players tonight.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A
Stats: 32 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST, 5 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 8-21 FG, 2-6 3PT, 14-15 FT, +16 +/-, 38 MIN
Shai delivered a dominant second-half performance, overcoming a slow start to lead OKC to victory. Scoring 20 of his 32 points after halftime, he was unstoppable attacking the basket, drawing fouls, and converting 14-of-15 free throws. His all-around impact included five steals, solidifying his presence on both ends of the court. Shai’s composure in the clutch, especially during the Thunder’s fourth-quarter surge, was pivotal.
Luguentz Dort: A
Stats: 19 PTS, 9 REB, 1 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 5-11 FG, 5-9 3PT, 4-6 FT, +10 +/-, 31 MIN
Lu Dort played a crucial role as a two-way force, contributing 19 points and nine rebounds while shooting efficiently from deep (5-of-9). His defensive intensity, highlighted by three steals, helped disrupt Houston’s rhythm. Dort’s timely threes and free throws kept the Thunder in control during crucial stretches.
Isaiah Hartenstein: A-
Stats: 21 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 4 TO, 4 PF, 9-12 FG, 0-0 3PT, 3-4 FT, +7 +/-, 33 MIN
Isaiah Hartenstein was highly effective, scoring 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting while adding eight rebounds. His offensive consistency and presence in the paint provided OKC with a reliable interior option. However, his four turnovers and foul trouble slightly dampened an otherwise strong showing.
Jalen Williams: A-
Stats: 20 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 2 PF, 8-20 FG, 2-5 3PT, 2-2 FT, +10 +/-, 39 MIN
Jalen Williams showcased his versatility, scoring 20 points while contributing five rebounds and five assists. He shot efficiently in the paint but struggled slightly from the field overall. His ability to create and finish plays was vital in keeping OKC’s offense balanced throughout the game.
Kenrich Williams: C+
Stats: 7 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 3-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4 +/-, 11 MIN
In limited minutes, Kenrich Williams made an impact with seven points on 3-of-4 shooting. While his stat line wasn’t flashy, his energy and ability to capitalize on open looks provided a brief spark off the bench.
Cason Wallace: C+
Stats: 5 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 3 PF, 2-6 FG, 1-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, +8 +/-, 32 MIN
Cason Wallace had a solid defensive presence with six rebounds, two assists, and a steal. His offensive contributions were minimal, but his effort on the glass and defensive hustle helped maintain OKC’s energy, especially in transition.
Isaiah Joe: C
Stats: 5 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 3-3 FT, +6 +/-, 18 MIN
Joe struggled to get going offensively, scoring just five points on limited opportunities. While he did convert all three free throws, his impact was otherwise quiet. Defensively, he provided some resistance but didn’t leave a strong imprint on the game.
Alex Caruso: C
Stats: 0 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 0-3 FG, 0-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, +16 +/-, 20 MIN
Alex Caruso had no points but contributed two rebounds and two assists in his 20 minutes. His defensive positioning and effort were solid, evidenced by a +16 plus-minus, but his inability to contribute offensively limited his overall impact although he did not get much of a chance to showcase his talents tonight.
Ajay Mitchell: N/A
Stats: 2 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-2 FT, +8 +/-, 9 MIN
Mitchell played only nine minutes but made the most of his time, converting both free throws and grabbing two rebounds. His limited action didn’t allow for a significant impact on the game and we can’t give him a grade.
Aaron Wiggins: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -2 +/-, 10 MIN
Aaron Wiggins played ten minutes and failed to register a point or major statistical contribution. His role was largely limited to providing brief relief minutes for the primary rotation.
