Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, including a step-back three-pointer in the closing seconds, to help the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 129-126 home win over the Denver Nuggets yesterday (Philippine time).
Moments earlier, it looked as if Gilgeous-Alexander sealed the Thunder’s victory with another step-back three-pointer, but a four-point play tied it for the Nuggets.
Then Gilgeous-Alexander did it again, waiting for his moment before elevating over Spencer Jones and draining another big shot with 3.3 seconds left.
This time, the Nuggets didn’t have time to answer.
The dagger came on the same night that Gilgeous-Alexander tied Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record with his 126th consecutive 20-point game. Gilgeous-Alexander added 15 assists and nine rebounds.
Jaylin Williams scored 29 points on a career-high seven three-pointers and contributed 12 assists to help Oklahoma City win.
The rematch was fairly calm, outside of plenty of lead changes, until late, when Dort was called for a flagrant foul following a review.
Jokic was setting a screen for Jamal Murray when Jokic and Dort collided.
The free throw and a Jokic three-pointer on the ensuing possession helped the Nuggets close what had been an eight-point deficit with two minutes remaining to three with 1:05 left. Jokic cut the gap to one with a floater with 31.2 seconds to go.
Gilgeous-Alexander then delivered the first of his big late three-pointers with 13.9 seconds left to put the Thunder up by four. Jokic elevated for a three-pointer that swished through, Williams was called for a foul away from the ball, giving Denver a chance to tie the game. Murray sank the free throw with 8.5 seconds to go, making it 126-126.
After a timeout, Gilgeous-Alexander found himself in 1-on-1 coverage from Jones, and he hit the shot to put the game away.
Jokic had 32 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists, scoring 11 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t quite enough to keep the Thunder from improving to 3-0.
Denver’s Tim Hardaway, Jr. scored 28 off the bench while Aaron Gordon had 23 points and 10 rebounds. Gordon scored 19 points in the game’s first seven minutes. (Field Level Media / Reuters)