Chet Holmgren stepped up in critical moments and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 38 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder edged the Golden State Warriors 138-136 in an overtime classic on Saturday (all time AEDT).
After what had been a quiet performance from Steph Curry, who had been well held by Lu Dort all game, the sharpshooter heated up late in the fourth – scoring 10 points in the final five minutes, including a huge hat-trick with 19. seconds remaining.
However, a careless foul by Draymond Green on Holmgren’s three-pointer put the Thunder big man on the line as he calmly made three crucial free throws before Curry’s deep miss on the other end fell short. sends the game into the extra period.
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Holmgren would nail a game-clinching triple in overtime to extend the Thunder’s lead to 130-121, followed by a huge play one that he celebrated hard to extend his advantage to double digits.
But during the frantic overtime period at the Paycom Center, Golden State kept coming, with Jonathan Kuminga scoring six quick points to give the Thunder a 133-129 lead with a minute remaining.
A Curry three brought the Warriors within two points with 30 seconds left, but Dort made a big layup off Holmgren’s assist that ultimately sealed OKC’s victory.
“Another classic between these teams,” Thunder commentator Chris Fisher said as the home team improved to 14-7 on the season to consolidate the top two seeds in the West.
“We have enough to win a championship. I believe that. But if we just throw the ball to the other team and foul over and over again, then we’re going to lose,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the game.
Gilgeous-Alexander shot 15 of 30 from the field for his game-high 38 points, adding five rebounds, five assists and five steals on the full line.
Holmgren (21 points, seven rebounds, three blocks) and Jalen Williams (28 points, three steals) also had big games, while Josh Giddey had nine points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals, but did not did not play during the entire period. the fourth quarter or in OT.
Curry led the Warriors with 34 points on perfect 8-of-8 shooting from the line with six triples and six rebounds and Kuminga added 24 points and 12 rebounds coming off the bench. Golden State fell to 10-12.
THE BEST EXUM GAME IN YEARS
Turns out all Dante Exum needed to up his game was to become a father.
The Australian, whose daughter Daria was born Dec. 1, started with Kyrie Irving and scored 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting after three quarters as Dallas led Portland 97-90.
Exum also had six rebounds and five assists.
It was Exum’s first 20-plus point game since Jan. 5, 2020, when he had 28 for the Cavaliers in a loss to the Wolves.
OBSERVATION OF MILLS IN HIGH SEASON MINUTES
We had another Patty Mills sighting!
The Australian veteran got a long haul in the Atlanta Hawks’ 114-125 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday (all time AEDT).
Mills played a season-high 17 minutes off the bench, scoring three points with two assists and a steal, while he was the only Hawk on the second unit with a positive plus/minus at +1.
“That’s the Patty Mills we know,” Hawks commentator Dominique Wilkins said after Mills’ three-pointer in the second quarter.
This came as Atlanta was missing two starters, Trae Young and Jalen Johnson, as its losing streak extended to three games and its record fell to 9-12.
Mills, 35, had a rough season, his first campaign in Atlanta since being traded multiple times in the offseason.
He has played in just one other regular-season game, scoring three points in five minutes in a game against Washington last month.
De’Andre Hunter’s 24 points led all Hawks starters in double figures, while Joel Embiid had 38 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks in another dominant performance from the star center and Tyrese Maxey added 30 points and seven assists decisive.
SOMEWHERE ELSE …
Although the San Antonio Spurs suffered a 16th straight loss in a 121-112 loss to the Chicago Bulls, Victor Wembanyama reminded the NBA world just how dominant he can be.
The No. 1 pick had 21 points, 20 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in 31 minutes. According to StatMuse, Wembanyama became the first rookie to record such numbers since Shaquille O’Neal and the youngest player in NBA history with a 20-20 game.
This comes after OKC’s Chet Holmgren emerged as the favorite for the Rookie of the Year award in recent weeks in a hot stretch, but Wembanyama staked his claim again in what is shaping up to be one of most entertaining races for this major prize.
Coby White (24 points, six assists), Nikola Vucevic (21 points, 16 rebounds), DeMar DeRozan (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Pat Williams (20 points) also had big performances as Chicago won a fourth back-to-back game without Zach. LaVine will improve to 9-14.
The Spurs meanwhile fell to 3-18.
ALL RESULTS
FALCONS 114 76ERS 125
PISTONS 91 MAGIC 123
RARAPERS 116 HORNETS 119
KNICKS 123 CELTICS 133
MAGICIANS 97 NETS 124
WARRIORS 136 THUNDER 138 (OT)
Timber Wolves 127 GRIZZLE 103
RIDERS 111 HEAT 99
BULLS 121 SPURS 112
