NBA: Thunder cruise by Clippers after 21-0 third-quarter run
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 108-94 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Gilgeous-Alexander was listed with a right hip injury that kept him out of Sunday’s loss to Minnesota.
But Gilgeous-Alexander was back on the roster, and helped the Thunder win their first game of the season.
The Thunder took control well 21-0 in the third quarter.
Gilgeous-Alexander fueled that run, scoring eight points in a time that lasted just over five minutes.
SGA goes from coast to coast and turns defense into attack!
The Thunder are playing 15-0 on the NBA League Pass. # KiaTipOff22
https://t.co/1pomR04bRi pic.twitter.com/6nCw6dFgVX
– NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2022
The Clippers missed nine shots in a row during a spike while also tallying six spins.
Los Angeles finished with 18 passes, while Oklahoma City only flipped the ball five times. The Thunder averaged 12 rotations per game during the 0-3 start.
Oklahoma City overcame the Clippers 23-3.
Tre Mann added 25 points to the Thunder, who were without Josh Giddey. Giddey picked up an ankle injury in Sunday’s defeat. Aaron Wiggins, in his first game of the season, had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Thunder won despite only shooting 13.3 percent (4 out of 30) from behind the 3-point line.
However, Gilgeous-Alexander made both of his pointers and was only 11 out of 22 points from the floor. Gilgeous-Alexander has taken all nine of his free throws.
While the Thunder brought one of the injured players back, the Clippers were very short of hands.
Kawhi Leonard was sidelined after experiencing stiffness in his knee that had to be surgically repaired, Paul George missed the game due to a non-COVID illness and Marcus Morris Sr. absent for personal reasons.
Leonard, who missed all of last season after suffering an ACL tear, will return to Los Angeles on Wednesday for treatment.
Morris will not play in Thursday’s second game at Oklahoma City, while George’s status is crowned.
Luke Kennard leads the Clippers with 15 points from the bench. Ivica Zubac had 10 points, 14 rebounds and 7 blocks.
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