Thunder beat Blazers, remain undefeated

OKC 137 POR 114

You can’t keep superstar players down for very long. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proved that to be true, leading all scorers with 30 points after an uncharacteristic showing against the Spurs on Wednesday. In a battle between the two youngest teams in the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder (5-0) had a first quarter to remember, dropping 37 points and looking like the game was going to be a cakewalk. The second quarter proved otherwise, as the Portland Trail Blazers (2-4) found their rhythm from deep and ended up tied at halftime by the score of 68-68.

The third quarter was more like fight night than basketball at times, due to the physical type of game both teams had committed to. The Thunder’s defense clamped down and, after going on a 15-0 run to end the third quarter, OKC pushed the lead up to 106-85. The fourth quarter was all Oklahoma City as they kept spreading the rock around and playing the type of basketball Thunder fans have come to expect. The final score 137-114 to keep the Thunder undefeated on the young season.

Jalen Williams had another solid night (22 points, 8-12 FG) and Cason Wallace continued to impress (13 points 3-5 3PA). Not to be outdone, Aaron Wiggins also dropped 13 points with an identical 3-5 from the three point line. The Blazers were led by Jerami Grant and his 17 points, followed by Deandre Ayton and Rayan Rupert with 14 points apiece. Chet Holmgren had an off night, getting into foul trouble early and finishing with just 6 points. I would say to watch for him to take out his frustrations from tonight’s game and use that as fuel against the Clippers, just like teammate Shai did in tonight's bounce-back performance.

OKC should feel good about their efforts in the second half, and look to build upon Saturday. They head to Los Angeles to face a tougher test against the Clippers on the second night of the back-to-back.