Thunder Rout Jazz in Epic NBA Cup Match
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 31 points, fueling a spectacular comeback that culminated in a 144-112 victory over the Utah Jazz in the NBA Cup. The match, played on Friday night, saw the Thunder extend their winning streak to eight games, making their dominance on the court clear.
The game took an unexpected turn after the Thunder were down by as many as 18 points in the first half. The 32-point victory represents the biggest comeback for any team that has been losing by 15 or more points in the play-by-play era, since the 1997-98 season.
This victory also marks the second-largest comeback of the season for Oklahoma City, surpassing the 19-point deficit they suffered against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 9. The Thunder have proven to be resilient, maintaining a perfect 5-0 record in games where they have been at a double-digit disadvantage.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance was key, showing a notable improvement in his long-distance shooting. After the first seven games, his three-point shooting percentage was below 27%. However, in the game against Utah, he made all three attempts from beyond the arc, complementing his performance with 9 out of 13 field goals and 10 out of 12 from the free-throw line.
With this outstanding performance, Gilgeous-Alexander has 14 games with more than 30 points in his first 17 games, surpassing any other player in the first 17 games of a season since Michael Jordan in 1986-87.
Isaiah Joe scored 16 points and Jaylin Williams contributed 15 points, including 5 three-pointers. The Thunder, who now have a 2-0 record in the NBA Cup, showed impressive offensive efficiency, with a 61.4% field goal percentage and a 62.2% three-point percentage, making 23 of 37 attempts.
Keyonte George scored 20 points and Lauri Markkanen added 19 for Utah. The Jazz now have an overall record of 5-10 and 0-3 in the tournament.
The Thunder’s defense was relentless, forcing 28 turnovers that translated into 44 points. This constant pressure frustrated the Utah players, destabilizing their game.
The turning point came in the third quarter, when Oklahoma City, led by its excellent play in this period, went on a 33-4 run, including 22 consecutive points. The Thunder, known for their dominance in the third quarter, forced nine turnovers and made 9 of 13 three-pointers.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 12 points in this crucial third quarter, in which OKC outscored Utah 43-20. Surprisingly, Utah got to have an 18-point lead (39-21) before OKC took a 36-point lead towards the end of the game.
In the first quarter, the Jazz scored 44 points, the most allowed by the Thunder in a quarter this season, leading 44-30. This 14-point difference at the end of the first quarter tied the largest deficit overcome by a team that won by more than 30 points in NBA history.
Utah dominated the first half, but the Thunder reduced the difference to 68-67. Coach Mark Daigneault received a technical foul for protesting a referee’s decision at the end of the first half.
