Camille Naredo

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Indiana Pacers on December 26, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. A.J. Mast, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP/File

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 26: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Indiana Pacers on December 26, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE   A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by A.J. Mast / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)

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Oklahoma City Thunder v Indiana Pacers

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737621460535AFP__20241227__2190871292__v1__Preview__OklahomaCityThunderVIndianaPacers.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Indiana Pacers on December 26, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. A.J. Mast, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Indiana Pacers on December 26, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. <em>A.J. Mast, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>LOS ANGELES -- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted for a career-high 54 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder overpowered the Utah Jazz 123-114 on Wednesday.</p><p>Gilgeous-Alexander bagged the first 50-point game of his career with a dazzling all-round performance that included eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks.</p><p>The virtuoso display from a player that many consider as the front-runner for this season&#x27;s Most Valuable Player award proved decisive in a contest that saw 16 lead changes.</p><p>The win leaves Oklahoma City on top of the Western Conference with a 36-7 record.</p><p>Gilgeous-Alexander sought to play down his strong night following the win.</p><p>&quot;I just tried to be aggressive, tried to make the right basketball play and then from there just trust the work -- it was no different from any other night,&quot; Gilgeous-Alexander said.</p><p>&quot;I had a few more points tonight, but it was nothing special.&quot;</p><p>Gilgeous-Alexander received offensive support from Jalen Williams, who chipped in with 25 points, while Cason Wallace added 13 off the bench.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LAujkWubZtk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>John Collins led Utah scoring with 22 points. Utah slipped to 10-32 with the loss and remained rooted to the foot of the Western Conference standings.</p><p>Elsewhere on Wednesday, a thrilling finish in Houston saw Eastern Conference pace-setters Cleveland stumble to a 108-109 defeat to the Rockets.</p><p>The Cavaliers looked to have taken a grip on the game in the fourth quarter, rattling off 19 unanswered points before taking a six-point lead with less than four minutes remaining.</p><p>Houston fought back however and knotted the score at 107-107 with five seconds remaining. Two free throws from Turkish international Alperen Sengun then put Houston ahead.</p><div><strong>- &#x27;A sloppy game&#x27; -</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vG_kVAo4H0o?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>But there was still time for one final twist after Tari Eason lunged in for a rash challenge as Darius Garland attempted a game-winning three-pointer.</p><p>That sent Garland to the free throw line with a chance to win the game with only three seconds remaining, but Garland missed his first two free throws and Houston escaped.</p><p>The Rockets are now 29-14 and second in the Western Conference standings.</p><p>&quot;I don&#x27;t know what happened -- a sloppy game,&quot; said Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, who led his team&#x27;s scoring with 26 points, including 7-of-12 from three-point range.</p><p>&quot;It was how not to close a game out. But I thought we deserved that. We fought hard. Sometimes good things go your way, and sometimes they don&#x27;t. Tonight they did at the end and we were able to close it out.&quot;</p><p>But while Houston celebrated, Texas rivals the Dallas Mavericks were left reflecting on a 115-114 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DuNbOuJ41iM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>With Luka Doncic still out injured, the Mavs relied on 36 points from Kyrie Irving and 30 points from P.J. Washington to keep them in the hunt. Minnesota&#x27;s balanced offense however -- with all five starters making double figures -- was enough to get the Wolves over the line.</p><p>Jaden McDaniels led the Minnesota scoring with 27 points while Anthony Edwards had 21.</p><p>In other games, Desmond Banes&#x27;s 24 points helped the Memphis Grizzlies roll to a fourth straight win with a 132-120 defeat of the Charlotte Hornets. The Grizzlies sit third in the West on 29-15 behind Oklahoma City and Houston.</p><p>In New York, the Brooklyn Nets miserable recent run of form continued with a fifth straight loss in a 108-84 blowout to the visiting Phoenix Suns. Devin Booker finished with 32 points while Kevin Durant added 24 against his former club.</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div>

<p>Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted for a career-high 54 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder overpowered the Utah Jazz 123-114 on Wednesday.</p>

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted for a career-high 54 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder overpowered the Utah Jazz 123-114 on Wednesday.

NBA: Career-high 54 for Gilgeous-Alexander as Thunder roll Pacers

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NBA: Career-high 54 for Gilgeous-Alexander as Thunder roll Pacers

Agence France-Presse

Published Jan 23, 2025 04:38 PM PHT

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