Game ID: 22400804
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Utah Jazz
Friday, February 21, 2025 at 9:30 PM ET
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
UTA 22 25 37 23 107OKC 29 39 31 31 130
OKC @ UTA ScoutingOKC @ UTA Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
UTA availability going into 2/08 · back-to-backOUT Sexton missed 2 since 2/05, out tonight
OUT Hendricks missed 47 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 9 since 1/22, returns tonight: 15 min (71% of 21)
OUT Tshiebwe missed 10 since 1/20, returns tonight: 8 min (46% of 18)
OUT Harkless missed 5 since 1/30, out tonight
BACK Collins back 1/30 after 3, 32 min since (106% of 30)
BACK Kessler back 1/30 after 2, 33 min since (112% of 30)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 2/05 after 3, 23 min since (116% of 20)
BACK Juzang back 2/05 after 12, 13 min since (67% of 20)
NEW Collier 26 to 32 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 2/10 · 1 day's restOUT Sexton missed 3 since 2/05, out tonight
OUT Hendricks missed 48 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Harkless missed 6 since 1/30, returns tonight: 3 min (22% of 14)
BACK Williams back 2/08 after 9, 15 min since (71% of 21)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 2/05 after 3, 24 min since (122% of 20)
BACK Juzang back 2/05 after 12, 17 min since (87% of 20)
BACK Tshiebwe back 2/08 after 10, 8 min since (46% of 18)
NEW Kessler 30 to 35 min over the last 4
NEW Collier 26 to 32 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 2/12 · 1 day's restOUT Sexton missed 4 since 2/05, out tonight
OUT Hendricks missed 49 since 10/29, out tonight
BACK Williams back 2/08 after 9, 15 min since (71% of 21)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 2/05 after 3, 24 min since (122% of 20)
BACK Juzang back 2/05 after 12, 17 min since (88% of 20)
BACK Tshiebwe back 2/08 after 10, 8 min since (46% of 18)
BACK Harkless back 2/10 after 6, 3 min since (22% of 14)
NEW Kessler 30 to 35 min over the last 4
NEW Clarkson 26 to 33 min over the last 4
NEW Collier 26 to 33 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 2/13 · back-to-backOUT Sexton missed 5 since 2/05, out tonight
OUT Hendricks missed 50 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Mykhailiuk missed 2 since 2/10, returns tonight: 28 min (140% of 20)
OUT Tshiebwe missed 2 since 2/10, out tonight
BACK Williams back 2/08 after 9, 16 min since (75% of 21)
BACK Juzang back 2/05 after 12, 17 min since (85% of 20)
BACK Harkless back 2/10 after 6, 3 min since (22% of 14)
NEW Kessler 30 to 35 min over the last 4
NEW Clarkson 26 to 31 min over the last 4
NEW Collier 26 to 32 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 2/21 · 7 days' restOUT Sexton missed 6 since 2/05, out tonight
OUT Hendricks missed 51 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Martin missed 2 since 2/12, returns tonight: 16 min (69% of 23)
OUT Tshiebwe missed 3 since 2/10, out tonight
OUT Harkless missed 2 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Williams back 2/08 after 9, 16 min since (75% of 21)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 2/13 after 2, 28 min since (140% of 20)
NEW Collins 30 to 36 min over the last 4
NEW Collier 26 to 32 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 2/22 · back-to-backOUT Sexton missed 7 since 2/05, out tonight
OUT Hendricks missed 52 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Tshiebwe missed 4 since 2/10, out tonight
OUT Harkless missed 3 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Martin back 2/21 after 2, 16 min since (69% of 23)
BACK Williams back 2/08 after 9, 16 min since (75% of 21)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 2/13 after 2, 28 min since (140% of 20)
UTA availability going into 2/24 · 1 day's restOUT Sexton missed 8 since 2/05, out tonight
OUT Hendricks missed 53 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Mykhailiuk missed 2 since 2/21, returns tonight: 22 min (109% of 20)
OUT Potter missed 2 since 2/21, returns tonight: 26 min (139% of 19)
OUT Tshiebwe missed 5 since 2/10, out tonight
OUT Harkless missed 4 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Martin back 2/21 after 2, 22 min since (99% of 23)
NEW Collier 26 to 31 min over the last 5
UTA availability going into 2/26 · 1 day's restOUT Collins missed 2 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Sexton missed 9 since 2/05, out tonight
OUT Clarkson missed 2 since 2/22, returns tonight: 31 min (120% of 26)
OUT Hendricks missed 54 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Tshiebwe missed 6 since 2/10, out tonight
OUT Harkless missed 5 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Martin back 2/21 after 2, 24 min since (108% of 23)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 2/13 after 2, 25 min since (125% of 20)
BACK Potter back 2/24 after 2, 26 min since (139% of 19)
UTA availability going into 2/28 · 1 day's restOUT Markkanen missed 2 since 2/24, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 3 since 2/22, returns tonight: 27 min (89% of 30)
OUT Sexton missed 10 since 2/05, returns tonight: 17 min (61% of 28)
OUT Hendricks missed 55 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Tshiebwe missed 7 since 2/10, out tonight
OUT Harkless missed 6 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Clarkson back 2/26 after 2, 31 min since (120% of 26)
BACK Martin back 2/21 after 2, 27 min since (118% of 23)
BACK Mykhailiuk back 2/13 after 2, 25 min since (125% of 20)
BACK Potter back 2/24 after 2, 26 min since (139% of 19)
OKC availability going into 2/08 · back-to-backOUT Wallace missed 3 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Mitchell missed 16 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Jal. Williams back 2/05 after 2, 29 min since (89% of 33)
BACK Holmgren back 2/07 after 39, 22 min since (77% of 28)
BACK Caruso back 2/05 after 2, 19 min since (90% of 21)
NEW Wiggins 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Joe 19 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Jay. Williams 14 to 20 min over the last 5
OKC availability going into 2/10 · 1 day's restOUT Dort missed 2 since 2/07, returns tonight: 25 min (86% of 29)
OUT Wallace missed 4 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Mitchell missed 17 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Jal. Williams back 2/05 after 2, 32 min since (97% of 33)
BACK Holmgren back 2/07 after 39, 22 min since (77% of 28)
BACK Caruso back 2/05 after 2, 22 min since (103% of 21)
NEW Wiggins 21 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW K. Williams 15 to 20 min over the last 5
NEW Jay. Williams 14 to 20 min over the last 5
OKC availability going into 2/12 · 1 day's restOUT Wallace missed 5 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Mitchell missed 18 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Jal. Williams back 2/05 after 2, 30 min since (92% of 33)
BACK Dort back 2/10 after 2, 25 min since (86% of 29)
BACK Holmgren back 2/07 after 39, 23 min since (83% of 28)
BACK Caruso back 2/05 after 2, 21 min since (99% of 21)
NEW Wiggins 21 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Jay. Williams 14 to 20 min over the last 5
OKC availability going into 2/13 · back-to-backOUT Wallace missed 6 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Mitchell missed 19 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Jal. Williams back 2/05 after 2, 30 min since (92% of 33)
BACK Dort back 2/10 after 2, 28 min since (98% of 29)
BACK Holmgren back 2/07 after 39, 23 min since (83% of 28)
BACK Caruso back 2/05 after 2, 19 min since (91% of 21)
NEW Wiggins 21 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Joe 19 to 25 min over the last 4
OKC availability going into 2/21 · 7 days' restOUT Wallace missed 7 since 2/03, returns tonight: 22 min (84% of 26)
OUT Mitchell missed 20 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Dort back 2/10 after 2, 30 min since (102% of 29)
BACK Holmgren back 2/07 after 39, 26 min since (90% of 28)
NEW Wiggins 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Joe 19 to 25 min over the last 4
OKC availability going into 2/23 · 1 day's restOUT Mitchell missed 21 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Dort back 2/10 after 2, 29 min since (99% of 29)
BACK Wallace back 2/21 after 7, 22 min since (84% of 26)
NEW Wiggins 21 to 26 min over the last 5
OKC availability going into 2/24 · back-to-backOUT Jay. Williams missed 2 since 2/21, returns tonight: 18 min (124% of 14)
OUT Mitchell missed 22 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Dort back 2/10 after 2, 29 min since (101% of 29)
BACK Wallace back 2/21 after 7, 22 min since (84% of 26)
OKC availability going into 2/26 · 1 day's restOUT Mitchell missed 23 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Wallace back 2/21 after 7, 26 min since (100% of 26)
BACK Jay. Williams back 2/24 after 2, 18 min since (124% of 14)
OKC availability going into 2/28 · 1 day's restOUT Mitchell missed 24 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Wallace back 2/21 after 7, 27 min since (104% of 26)
BACK Jay. Williams back 2/24 after 2, 11 min since (78% of 14)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 127, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Markkanen at 22 and Clarkson at 20 a game. Without Sexton (6 straight), Hendricks (51 straight), Martin (2 straight). 7 days' rest. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 108, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 29 and Jal. Williams at 21 a game. Without Wallace (7 straight). 7 days' rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 108 a night to Utah's 127 and the turnovers, Utah giving it away 17 times a game to OKC's 10. Call it OKC 120, Utah 112.
2/08 @ LAC 110-130 — UTA notes
UTA lost 110-130. UTA shot 47% (39 of 83) to LAC's 58%, 17 of 43 from three. UTA turned it over 19 times to LAC's 14, and LAC turned those into 8 steals. Clarkson led with 24 (8 of 19, 6 of 12 from three); George added 21, Juzang 19. Q1 was theirs, 30-29, but the other 3 periods went 101-80 against them. They led by as many as 13. George's -39 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/10 @ LAL 113-132 — UTA notes
UTA lost 113-132. UTA shot 46% (39 of 84) to LAL's 54%, 12 of 40 from three, and went to the line 27 times to LAL's 18 — 23 points from the stripe to their 17. UTA turned it over 19 times to LAL's 11, and LAL turned those into 11 steals. Collins led with 17 (5 of 10, 6 of 7 at the line); Markkanen added 17, Clarkson 16. Q4 was theirs, 38-32, the deficit cut from 25 to 19, but the other 3 periods went 100-75 against them. Kessler's -26 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/12 vs LAL 131-119 — UTA notes
UTA won 131-119. UTA shot 52% (45 of 86) to LAL's 45%, 15 of 41 from three. Markkanen led with 32 (11 of 18, 6 of 10 from three); Clarkson added 21, George 20. The hinge was Q3, 40-30: a lead of 8 became 18, and the lead reached 25. Markkanen was the night's best plus/minus at +35.
2/13 vs LAC 116-120 — UTA notes
UTA lost 116-120 in 1 overtime. UTA shot 49% (38 of 78) to LAC's 41%, 18 of 45 from three, and got to the line 26 times to LAC's 36. UTA turned it over 26 times to LAC's 10, and LAC turned those into 16 steals. Markkanen led with 20 (8 of 16, 2 of 6 from three); Filipowski added 20, Collins 17. Q1 was theirs, 33-26, but the other 4 periods went 94-83 against them. They led by as many as 20. Juzang's -12 in 12 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/21 vs OKC 107-130 — UTA notes
UTA lost 107-130. UTA shot 46% (41 of 90) to OKC's 47%, 15 of 41 from three. UTA turned it over 19 times to OKC's 12, and OKC turned those into 10 steals. Collins led with 26 (11 of 19, 1 of 5 from three, 3 of 7 at the line); George added 20, Clarkson 19. Q3 was theirs, 37-31, the deficit cut from 21 to 15, but the other 3 periods went 99-70 against them. Markkanen's -20 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/22 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 126, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Clarkson at 20 and Collins at 19 a game. Without Sexton (7 straight), Hendricks (52 straight), Tshiebwe (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 107, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 25 free throws a game; Green at 22 and Sengun at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without VanVleet (8 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 107 a night to Utah's 126 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-8 a night and Utah minus-1. Call it Houston 115, Utah 112, Utah keeping it close.
2/24 vs POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 123, shooting 49 percent and 35 from three, 26 free throws a game; Markkanen at 19 and Collins at 19 a game. Without Sexton (8 straight), Hendricks (53 straight), Mykhailiuk (2 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 118, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Simons at 19 and Avdija at 16 a game. Without Ayton (3 straight), Thybulle (57 straight). One day's rest.
So: Utah wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Utah 117, Portland 116, Portland keeping it close.
2/26 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 120, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; George at 21 and Collins at 20 a game. Without Collins (2 straight), Sexton (9 straight), Clarkson (2 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 120, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; DeRozan at 28 and LaVine at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 11 a night. One day's rest.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-11 a night and Utah plus-2. Call it Utah 119, Sacramento 118, Sacramento keeping it close.
2/28 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 119, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; George at 19 and Markkanen at 16 a game. Without Markkanen (2 straight), Collins (3 straight), Sexton (10 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 118, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 28 free throws a game; Edwards at 25 and McDaniels at 20 a game. Without Randle (12 straight), Gobert (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the arc, Utah at 37 percent from three to Minnesota's 31 and the turnovers, Utah giving it away 15 times a game to Minnesota's 11. Call it Utah 116, Minnesota 115, Minnesota keeping it close.
2/08 @ MEM 125-112 — OKC notes
OKC won 125-112. OKC shot 43% (45 of 105) to MEM's 44%, 18 of 42 from three, and got to the line 21 times to MEM's 39. OKC turned it over 8 times to MEM's 13. The glass went 55-40 for them. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 32 (8 of 26, 3 of 5 from three, 13 of 16 at the line); Wiggins added 26, Jal. Williams 25. The hinge was Q2, 35-26: a lead of 8 became 17, and the lead reached 28. Gilgeous-Alexander was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
2/10 vs NOP 137-101 — OKC notes
OKC won 137-101. OKC shot 52% (49 of 95) to NOP's 44%, 27 of 55 from three, and got to the line 16 times to NOP's 28. OKC turned it over 10 times to NOP's 22. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 31 (10 of 20, 4 of 9 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Wiggins added 24, Jal. Williams 16. The hinge was Q1, 33-20: from level to 13 ahead, and the lead reached 39. Wiggins was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
2/12 vs MIA 115-101 — OKC notes
OKC won 115-101. OKC shot 49% (43 of 88) to MIA's 46%, 15 of 39 from three. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 32 (11 of 22, 4 of 9 from three, 6 of 9 at the line); Jal. Williams added 18, Dort 17. The hinge was Q4, 32-8: OKC came in trailing by 10 and left it ahead by 14. OKC trailed 52-63 at the half and won the second half 63-38. Joe was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
2/13 @ MIN 101-116 — OKC notes
OKC lost 101-116. OKC shot 42% (37 of 88) to MIN's 42%, 7 of 29 from three. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 24 (6 of 21, 11 of 11 at the line); Jal. Williams added 20, Dort 14. Q2 was theirs, 32-27, the deficit cut from 13 to 8, but the other 3 periods went 89-69 against them. Wiggins's -26 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/21 @ UTA 130-107 — OKC notes
OKC won 130-107. OKC shot 47% (46 of 97) to UTA's 46%, 19 of 43 from three. OKC turned it over 12 times to UTA's 19. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 21 (7 of 16, 1 of 4 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Holmgren added 20, Jal. Williams 18. The hinge was Q2, 39-25: a lead of 7 became 21, and the lead reached 25. Holmgren was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
2/23 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 110, shooting 43 percent and 28 from three, 24 free throws a game; Edwards at 33 and Reid at 21 a game. Without Randle (9 straight), Gobert (2 straight), DiVincenzo (17 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 107, shooting 47 percent and 41 from three, 20 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 28 and Jal. Williams at 19 a game. One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, OKC at 41 percent from three to Minnesota's 28 and the glass, where OKC has been plus-3 a night and Minnesota minus-1. Call it OKC 113, Minnesota 110, Minnesota keeping it close.
2/24 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 43 from three, 20 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 29 and Jal. Williams at 18 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. Minnesota comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 117, shooting 42 percent and 30 from three, 24 free throws a game; Edwards at 32 and Reid at 21 a game. Without Randle (10 straight), Gobert (3 straight), DiVincenzo (18 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the arc, OKC at 43 percent from three to Minnesota's 30 and the defense, OKC allowing 110 a night to Minnesota's 117. Call it OKC 118, Minnesota 108, OKC by 10.
2/26 @ BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Brooklyn comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 101, shooting 43 percent and 28 from three, 18 free throws a game; C. Johnson at 18 and Watford at 14 a game. Without Thomas (23 straight), Russell (2 straight), Evbuomwan (3 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 31 and Jal. Williams at 20 a game. One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, OKC at 38 percent from three to Brooklyn's 28 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 101 a night to OKC's 116. Call it OKC 111, Brooklyn 108, Brooklyn keeping it close.
2/28 @ ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Young at 28 and Daniels at 17 a game. Without Johnson (15 straight), Krejčí (5 straight), Mathews (7 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 120, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 30 and Jal. Williams at 21 a game. One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 120 a night to Atlanta's 126. Call it OKC 121, Atlanta 117, Atlanta keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
OKCAC A. Caruso
AW A. Wiggins
BC B. Carlson
CH C. Holmgren
CW C. Wallace
DJ D. Jones
IH I. Hartenstein
IJ I. Joe
JW J. Williams
JW Jal. Williams
KW K. Williams
LD L. Dort
OD O. Dieng
SG S. Gilgeous-Alexander
UTACW C. Williams
IC I. Collier
JC J. Clarkson
JC J. Collins
JS J. Springer
KF K. Filipowski
KG K. George
KM K. Martin
LM L. Markkanen
WK W. Kessler
OKC/UTA the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
West-leading Thunder beat the Jazz 130-107 for 8th victory in 9 games
SALT LAKE CITY -- — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points and the West-leading Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Utah Jazz 130-107 on Friday night for their eighth victory in nine games.
Chet Holmgren added 20 points for the Thunder. Jalen Williams had 18 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein grabbed 13 rebounds.
John Collins scored 26 points for Utah, and Keyonte George added 20. Walker Kessler finished with 19 rebounds, and Isaiah Coller had 12 assists.
Oklahoma City never trailed. The Thunder used a 15-4 run to take a 27-14 lead late in the first quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander and Alex Caruso fueled the spurt with a pair of baskets apiece.
Oklahoma City led by 25 points in the final minute of the half, going up 66-41 on Lu Dort’s layup.
Takeaways Thunder: Smothering defense led to lots of easy baskets in transition. Oklahoma City scored 37 points off 19 Utah turnovers.
Jazz: Jaden Springer made his debut after signing a 10-day contract Thursday. He had seven points and two assists in 11 minutes.
Key moment After Utah cut the deficit to four on Collins’ layup, Jalen Williams countered with a second-chance 3-pointer. Collins then went 1 of 2 on back-to-back trips to the free throw line, keeping it a two-possession game.
Key stat The Thunder scored 39 points in the second quarter.
Up next Oklahoma City is at Minnesota on Sunday night. Utah hosts Houston on Saturday night.