Thunder Beat Short-Handed Magic 112-110 To Tie Timberwolves For Western Conference Lead

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the short-handed Orlando Magic 112-100 on Saturday night to tie Minnesota for the Western Conference lead.

Gilgeous-Alexander had his high points total without making a 3-pointer. He missed all four of his 3-point tries, but was 13 of 16 inside the arc and made 11 of 12 free throws.

Jalen Williams scored 16 points and Chet Holmgren added 15 to help the Thunder improve to 27-11.

Paolo Banchero had 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the Magic, who lost their third straight. Orlando was missing Franz Wagner (right ankle sprain), Wendell Carter Jr. (right knee tendinitis), Markelle Fultz (left knee injury maintenance), Gary Harris (right calf strain) and Joe Ingles (left ankle injury maintenance).

It was the first regular-season matchup between the first two picks of the 2022 draft. Banchero, the No. 1 pick that year, was last season’s Rookie of the Year. Holmgren was picked No. 2 overall in 2022 before sitting out last season with a foot injury. He has emerged as one of the favorites for Rookie of the Year this season.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points in the first half to help the Thunder take a 49-40 lead at the break. No Orlando player scored more than six points in the first half.

Gilgeous-Alexander stole the ball, then posted up on the other end and made a shot from an awkward angle while being fouled. He made the free throw to put the Thunder up 72-60.

Jalen Williams drained a shot from just inside halfcourt at the end of the third quarter to put Oklahoma City up 86-73, and the Thunder led by at least six points the rest of the way.

UP NEXT

Magic: At New York on Monday night.

Thunder: At Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA