Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Utah Jazz guard Ochai Agbaji (30) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points in three quarters and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Utah Jazz 134-120 Monday night in NBA action.
Gilgeous-Alexander also had seven assists to lead an Oklahoma City offense that shot 52 percent from the field and recorded 35 assists.
“I feel like every great goalscorer has to find a balance,” he said. “And that’s something that I’m always trying to criticize myself on and always trying to improve on. And I can always improve. It’s something I’m focused on, for sure.
Josh Giddey added 12 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in just 24 minutes for Oklahoma City. Teams had backed him because of his shooting struggles, but he made the Jazz pay by moving around and making himself more available around the hoop.
“He needs to evolve right now with the way he plays with the ball, and I thought tonight he did a good job of that,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “He found some cuts, he had some really good ball movement, he made some good passes in the middle of the field. It’s something we’ve adapted to.
Everyone played a role ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/Rlp15gWnfy
– OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 12, 2023
Ousmane Dieng scored a game-high 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting off the bench. He’s been back and forth between the Thunder and the team’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, this season.
“I think it validates the time he spent in the G League,” Daigneault said. “He played four games in a very short time. That’s why we sent it. There was the volume of games he could play in just a week, and he’s a better player. He visibly came back very strong from this experience.
Chet Holmgren had 16 points and eight rebounds for Thunder, who have won four of five to strengthen their grip on second place in the Western Conference standings.
Keyonte George, a recruit from Baylor, scored a season-best 30 points for the Jazz. Collin Sexton had 20 and Simone Fontecchio added a season-high 19. Jordan Clarkson, Utah’s second-leading scorer this season, had just eight points on 3-of-13 shooting.
Jazz leader Lauri Markkanen was out for the eighth straight game with a left hamstring strain. Utah fell to 3-5 without him.
Isaiah Joe hit a corner 3-pointer at the second quarter buzzer to give the Thunder a 66-52 halftime lead. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points and Dieng 12 points in 10 minutes in the first half. Fontecchio scored 15 before the break for Utah.
Oklahoma City shot 65 percent from the field in the third quarter to extend its lead to 111-75. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting in the period.
The Thunder took care of business in the first three quarters against a struggling Jazz team that was missing its top scorer.
“We’re not releasing the record,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “There are 29 (other) teams in this NBA that are really good and can beat anyone on any night. This is how we approach it.
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FOLLOWING
Jazz: Host the New York Knicks on Wednesday.
Thunder: Visit the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.
