OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 33 points as the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder continued their dominant start to the season, defeating the Sacramento Kings 113-99 on Wednesday night.
The victory improved Oklahoma City’s record to an NBA-best 15-1 and marked their seventh consecutive win. Conversely, the Kings have now lost seven straight games.
Dominant Stretch
After a season opener featuring two double-overtime wins and a singular loss to Portland, the Thunder have found a devastating rhythm. Since that defeat, they have won every game by double digits, boasting an average margin of victory of 20.3 points.
This current run includes impressive back-to-back home victories last week: a 24-point rout of Golden State and a 29-point win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Key Performances
While Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge, he had ample support:
- Chet Holmgren contributed 21 points.
- Lu Dort was pivotal in closing the game, scoring all 14 of his points in the second half, including 11 in the fourth quarter.
For the Kings, Dennis Schroder led the way with 21 points, while DeMar DeRozan added 17. The Kings were shorthanded in the frontcourt, as big man Domantas Sabonis sat out due to left knee soreness.
Westbrook’s Return
The night also featured a reunion with former Thunder icon Russell Westbrook. The 2017 league MVP and two-time scoring champion received a warm reception from the Oklahoma City crowd during introductions. Westbrook finished with a solid stat line of 7 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Game Action
The Thunder held a 58-50 lead at halftime after a potential momentum-shifting play—a shot from beyond halfcourt by Sacramento’s Zach LaVine—was waived off for coming after the buzzer.
In the second half, Gilgeous-Alexander maintained control. Late in the third quarter, he banked in a mid-range jumper while being fouled, converting the free throw to extend the lead to 83-67. The Thunder took an 83-69 advantage into the fourth and never looked back, completing a season sweep of their three matchups against the Kings.
Up Next: The Thunder travel to face the Utah Jazz on Friday night.
