- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,169,254
- Reaction score
- 59
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander held his hands over his mouth in disbelief.
The reigning MVP had just delivered a signature moment, draining a go-ahead 3-pointer in the closing seconds of regulation during OKC's game against Detroit on Monday. But it was erased by the officials, who called him for a push-off foul.
The stunned look from Gilgeous-Alexander said it all, and yet it didn't last long. He quickly placed on his game face for overtime. The same one that lives in the nightmares of opponents around the NBA.
The Thunder ultimately secured a 114-110 home win, and Gilgeous-Alexander scored eight of his 47 points during the extra period.
OKC (60-16) has now won at least 60 games for the second straight season, which is something it hasn't done before in franchise history. It also has a 2.5-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs for the top seed in the Western Conference.
Here are three takeaways from the win:
More: OKC Thunder will host 2026 preseason game vs. New Orleans Pelicans in Tulsa
Order new book on Thunder's run to NBA title
Paul Reed tried to push Chet Holmgren off of his path to the rim.
But it was more like a speed bump. A minor inconvenience for the 7-foot-1 forward, who had no trouble bulldozing his way past his 6-9 defender before sinking a layup.
Holmgren continued to be a driving force for OKC on Monday. He repeatedly punished an undermanned, undersized Detroit team that was without its bruising big man, Jalen Duren, due to right knee injury management.
And Holmgren didn't just rely on his height. His hustle also helped the Thunder, as he chased down opponents for blocks and broke up passes.
Holmgren ended the night with 13 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 30 minutes. He went 6 for 11 from the field (1 for 3 from deep) before fouling out with 31.2 seconds left in regulation.
Jaylin Williams then picked up where Holmgren left off. He also enforced his will down low, finishing with 13 rebounds to go along with three points and three blocks in 32 minutes off the bench.
More: Chet Holmgren's path to NBA All-Star Game began with bold claim and channeled ambition
It didn't look like Aaron Wiggins had much of a chance to grab a loose ball late in the third quarter, as two Pistons players were closer to it.
But even a slim chance was all Wiggins needed. He beat both opponents to the ball, and then he beat both of them to the rim before sinking a layup.
Wiggins hasn't had a ton of chances since the Thunder recently reached full strength. He didn't play in two of its last three games entering Monday due to coach's decision.
But Wiggins made the most of his chance against Detroit on a night when OKC was without Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein due to injury management. He chipped in 10 points, two rebounds and one steal in 17 minutes off the bench.
Wiggins has had his struggles this season, and the addition of Jared McCain has made it even more difficult to find minutes. But the 27-year-old guard was OKC's fourth-leading scorer last season (12 points per game), and he's certainly capable of contributing when needed.
More: How Aaron Wiggins became a 'system monster' for OKC Thunder
Detroit fought hard despite being without four of its five usual starters. But when its players walked off the Paycom Center floor after the final buzzer sounded, they knew they'd left some points behind.
They were at the free-throw line, where the Pistons struggled to cash in on freebies. They went 12 for 23 (52.2%).
Meanwhile, OKC capitalized at the charity stripe. It went 28 for 32 (87.5%), and that 16-point difference helped it escape with a victory.
More: How OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became NBA's most consistent player
∎ Gilgeous-Alexander has now scored at least 20 points in 136 straight games. It's the longest streak in NBA history.
∎ OKC was without Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus injury management), Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) and Jalen Williams (right hamstring injury management).
∎ Detroit was without Cade Cunningham (left lung pneumothorax), Jalen Duren (right knee injury management), Tobias Harris (left hip injury management), Duncan Robinson (right hip injury management) and Isaiah Stewart (left calf strain).
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
TIPOFF: 8:30 p.m. CT Thursday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City (Prime Video)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder outlasts Pistons in OT for 60th win as SGA scores 47 points
Continue reading...
The reigning MVP had just delivered a signature moment, draining a go-ahead 3-pointer in the closing seconds of regulation during OKC's game against Detroit on Monday. But it was erased by the officials, who called him for a push-off foul.
The stunned look from Gilgeous-Alexander said it all, and yet it didn't last long. He quickly placed on his game face for overtime. The same one that lives in the nightmares of opponents around the NBA.
The Thunder ultimately secured a 114-110 home win, and Gilgeous-Alexander scored eight of his 47 points during the extra period.
OKC (60-16) has now won at least 60 games for the second straight season, which is something it hasn't done before in franchise history. It also has a 2.5-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs for the top seed in the Western Conference.
Here are three takeaways from the win:
More: OKC Thunder will host 2026 preseason game vs. New Orleans Pelicans in Tulsa
Order new book on Thunder's run to NBA title
Chet Holmgren capitalized against an undersized Detroit defense
Paul Reed tried to push Chet Holmgren off of his path to the rim.
But it was more like a speed bump. A minor inconvenience for the 7-foot-1 forward, who had no trouble bulldozing his way past his 6-9 defender before sinking a layup.
Holmgren continued to be a driving force for OKC on Monday. He repeatedly punished an undermanned, undersized Detroit team that was without its bruising big man, Jalen Duren, due to right knee injury management.
And Holmgren didn't just rely on his height. His hustle also helped the Thunder, as he chased down opponents for blocks and broke up passes.
Holmgren ended the night with 13 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 30 minutes. He went 6 for 11 from the field (1 for 3 from deep) before fouling out with 31.2 seconds left in regulation.
Jaylin Williams then picked up where Holmgren left off. He also enforced his will down low, finishing with 13 rebounds to go along with three points and three blocks in 32 minutes off the bench.
More: Chet Holmgren's path to NBA All-Star Game began with bold claim and channeled ambition
Aaron Wiggins made the most of his chance
It didn't look like Aaron Wiggins had much of a chance to grab a loose ball late in the third quarter, as two Pistons players were closer to it.
But even a slim chance was all Wiggins needed. He beat both opponents to the ball, and then he beat both of them to the rim before sinking a layup.
Wiggins hasn't had a ton of chances since the Thunder recently reached full strength. He didn't play in two of its last three games entering Monday due to coach's decision.
But Wiggins made the most of his chance against Detroit on a night when OKC was without Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein due to injury management. He chipped in 10 points, two rebounds and one steal in 17 minutes off the bench.
Wiggins has had his struggles this season, and the addition of Jared McCain has made it even more difficult to find minutes. But the 27-year-old guard was OKC's fourth-leading scorer last season (12 points per game), and he's certainly capable of contributing when needed.
More: How Aaron Wiggins became a 'system monster' for OKC Thunder
Detroit left important points at the free-throw line
Detroit fought hard despite being without four of its five usual starters. But when its players walked off the Paycom Center floor after the final buzzer sounded, they knew they'd left some points behind.
They were at the free-throw line, where the Pistons struggled to cash in on freebies. They went 12 for 23 (52.2%).
Meanwhile, OKC capitalized at the charity stripe. It went 28 for 32 (87.5%), and that 16-point difference helped it escape with a victory.
More: How OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became NBA's most consistent player
Tip-ins
∎ Gilgeous-Alexander has now scored at least 20 points in 136 straight games. It's the longest streak in NBA history.
∎ OKC was without Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus injury management), Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) and Jalen Williams (right hamstring injury management).
∎ Detroit was without Cade Cunningham (left lung pneumothorax), Jalen Duren (right knee injury management), Tobias Harris (left hip injury management), Duncan Robinson (right hip injury management) and Isaiah Stewart (left calf strain).
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
Thunder vs. Lakers
TIPOFF: 8:30 p.m. CT Thursday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City (Prime Video)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder outlasts Pistons in OT for 60th win as SGA scores 47 points
Continue reading...
