Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives against Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Johnson (45) and center Nic Claxton during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, January 2025 in Oklahoma Metropolis. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
OKLAHOMA CITY – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 27 points and 10 assists in three quarters, and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder beat the Brooklyn Nets 127-101 on Sunday night.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s leading scorer, missed Friday’s loss in Dallas with a sprained right wrist. He looked good against the Nets: he made 8 of 14 field goals and all 10 of his free throw attempts. He also had four steals.
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Isaiah Joe scored 24 points and made eight 3-pointers for the Thunder.
READ: NBA: Thunder’s Chet Holmgren will be out for at least three more weeks
Shai was effective in ALL phases in a big win for the Thunder!
27 points
10 AST
4 STL pic.twitter.com/BoQGODNM1H-NBA (@NBA) January 20, 2025
The Thunder have the best record in the Western Conference, and the victory secured Oklahoma Metropolis coach Mark Daigneault’s spot as All-Star head coach. He will coach one of the four All-Star teams and an assistant coach on his staff will be the head coach of another team.
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Cam Johnson and Tyrese Johnson each scored 15 points for the Nets, who have lost eight of nine.
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Oklahoma Metropolis made 9 of 13 three-pointers in the first quarter to take a 39-19 lead. The Thunder continued to advance in the second quarter and led 69-49 at halftime. Gilgeous-Alexander and Joe each scored 15 points at halftime.
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Oklahoma Metropolis continued to dominate in the second half, extending its lead to 29 points in the final minutes.
Takeaway meals
Nets: Brooklyn shot just 42.5% against the Thunder, who lead the league in defensive scoring.
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Thunder: Daigneault, NBA Coach of the Year last season, might be doing a better job this year. He once again found a way to handle an injury-plagued roster and not miss a beat. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma Metropolis’ second scorer of the season, missed this game with a right hip strain and center Isaiah Hartenstein was out with a left calf strain.
READ: NBA: Mavericks without Doncic beat the Thunder without Gilgeous-Alexander
Key moment
Ousmane Dieng’s one-handed shot on a fast break put Oklahoma Metropolis ahead 32-7 in the first quarter. It was the highlight of an 18-0 run.
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Key Statistics
Oklahoma Metropolis shot 61.9% from the field and 61.1% from 3-point range (11 of 18) in the first half.
Next
The Nets host the New York Knicks on Tuesday and the Thunder host Utah on Wednesday.
