key players step up despite absences
Isaiah Joe scored 22 points, while Kyson Wallace added 20 points and 10 assists, helping the Thunder strengthen their lead in the Western Conference with a 44-14 record. This came despite the absence of injured stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, as well as Ajayi Mitchell and Alex Caruso.
wallace praises early momentum
Wallace, who lost only one ball while effectively guarding James Harden, said: “It’s fun when the ball starts rolling.” He added, “It was an early game, so we tried to start with a strong rhythm. I feel we set the tone early and gained some momentum.” The Thunder opened the game by scoring the first nine points and extended the lead to 23 in the first quarter.
tight battle but thunder holds lead
The teams exchanged the lead in the third quarter, but Oklahoma City entered the final quarter ahead and maintained the advantage until the end. Seven Thunder players finished in double figures, with giant Chet Holmgren posting a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds.
cavaliers’ efforts
James Harden and Donovan Mitchell each scored 20 points for the fourth-seeded Cavaliers (36-22) in the Eastern Conference.
warriors prevail in san francisco
In San Francisco, substitute Brandon Podziemski scored 15 of his 18 points in the final quarter, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 128-117 win over the Denver Nuggets.
For an optimal experience, please
