Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 45 points as OKC Thunder defeats Clippers

by Junna Base November 12, 2024

Life in the 2024 World Cup era (without Chet) hit the Thunder seconds into Monday night’s game.

The Clippers wasted no time in feeding 7-foot, 240-pound center Ivica Zubac. He ended up facing a lineup without a player taller than 6-6.

But OKC wasted no time in moving Zubac. And kicking one ball after another, drawing one offensive foul after another. Life without Chet Holmgren seemed possible.

Possible. But it wasn’t easy to secure a 134-128 victory until the last second.

OKC forced 23 turnovers. It held Zubac to three shots in the first half. It was swarming like you know from your small lineups.

The Thunder even led by 17 points at the start of the third quarter.

But for 48 minutes?

It was exhausting. A big task for a small, understaffed team.

Monday’s win didn’t happen without a look at the reality without Holmgren.

Zubac took 10 shots in the second half, nearly tripling his first-half output. He took a drop step and stretched his wingspan beyond OKC’s tiny backline. He remembered who he was. And OKC screwed up the holes that came with it, as well as the shooting that the Clippers inevitably faced.

But small balls are a way of life in Smallville, OK. Eventually things turned around, and the Thunder gave James Harden (17 points, 5-for-15 shooting with five fouls and five turnovers) just enough trouble to put the game in Zubac’s hands.

His hands were too big to thrive in Smallville.

It’s amazing that there are so few of them. That such a consistently dominant, skilled and unbeatable scorer had never scored 45 points before Monday night.

But Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rarely leaves, even if that means not reaching for 50 (or apparently 45) as he nears 40.

The Thunder needed every last point he delivered on Monday.

All four of his 3-pointers, this time on eight attempts. All 15 of his free throws, only missing one attempt. Every last probe, every last midrange jumper. Gilgeous-Alexander was “old-fashioned,” as coach Mark Daigneault wanted to call him after the game: according to Daigneault, it was a product of letting the game come to him.

Thunder vs Clippers live score updates

What time is Thunder vs. Clippers?

Date: Monday, November 11th
Time: 7pm CT
Where: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City

TV: FanDuel Sports Network
How to watch online: Fubo (free trial)
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM

Thunder vs Clippers odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, November 11th

Opportunities: Thunder at 6.5

Over/Under: 218.5

Money line: OKC-275 | Los Angeles +220

OKC Thunder roster

Alex Caruso, PG
Ousmane Dieng, SF
Luguentz Dort, SG
Alex Ducas, SG *
Adam Flagler, PG
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, SG
Isaiah Hartenstein, C
Chet Holmgren, PF
Isaiah Joe, SG
Dillon Jones, SF
Ajay Mitchell, SG *
Alex Reese, PF
Nikola Topić, PG
Cason Wallace, SG
Aaron Wiggins, SG
Jalen Williams, SG
Jaylin Williams, PF
Kenrich Williams, PF

*-Two-way contract

OKC Thunder schedule

Friday, November 8th: OKC 126, Houston 107

Sunday, November 10th: vs. Golden State at 6 p.m. (FanDuel Sports Network)

Monday, November 11th: vs. Los Angeles Clippers at 7 p.m. (FanDuel Sports Network and NBA TV)

Wednesday, November 13th: vs. New Orleans at 6:30 p.m. (FanDuel Sports Network and ESPN)

Friday, November 15th (NBA Cup game): vs. Phoenix at 7 p.m. (FanDuel Sports Network)

Thunder vs Clippers highlights

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