In a thrilling matchup, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his scoring prowess, tallying 31 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 126-119 victory over the visiting Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.
The absence of superstar Luka Doncic, sidelined due to left hamstring soreness following the Mavericks’ previous win over the Golden State Warriors, proved to be a significant setback for Dallas, halting their four-game winning streak.
However, the Thunder’s triumph wasn’t solely attributed to Gilgeous-Alexander’s standout performance. Jalen Williams, returning from an ankle sprain that sidelined him in the previous game against the Indiana Pacers, made his presence felt with 27 points, including a decisive dunk in the final minute to seal the victory for Oklahoma City.
Despite Doncic’s absence, the Mavericks put up a fierce fight, relying heavily on Kyrie Irving to carry the offensive load. Irving delivered an impressive performance, registering 36 points and 12 assists, albeit falling short of securing the win. Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed 23 points off the bench, while Daniel Gafford recorded a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds.
In a separate contest, the Houston Rockets dominated the Washington Wizards with a commanding 135-119 victory. Jalen Green led the charge for Houston, posting a season-high 37 points and spearheading a balanced offensive effort that saw six Rockets players scoring in double figures.
The Boston Celtics extended their winning streak to four games with a convincing 127-112 win over the Phoenix Suns. Jaylen Brown led the charge for Boston with 37 points, supported by Jayson Tatum’s 26-point performance and Al Horford’s season-high 24 points.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks secured a hard-fought 114-105 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, powered by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s impressive stat line of 32 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. The Los Angeles Clippers also notched a notable win, defeating the Chicago Bulls 126-111 behind strong performances from Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
Lastly, the New York Knicks cruised to a 105-93 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, propelled by Jalen Brunson’s stellar 45-point outing. Deandre Ayton impressed for the Trail Blazers with 31 points and 14 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome New York’s dominant performance.
The night’s matchups showcased the depth of talent and competitive spirit across the NBA, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next thrilling showdowns on the court.
