Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 100-87 road win over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.
It was the 123rd consecutive game for Gilgeous-Alexander to score 20 or more points, moving him within three of tying Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record.
Gilgeous-Alexander did break Chamberlain’s record for consecutive 20-plus point games on the road with 59.
The Thunder have won back-to-back games and seven of their last nine and swept the season series between the teams, beating the Mavericks for the third time this season.
The Mavericks have dropped three consecutive games and 13 of their last 15. Dallas was held to fewer than 100 points for the first time since Nov. 22 against Memphis.
Oklahoma City took the lead for good just more than three minutes into the game, but though they quickly moved up by double figures, the Thunder couldn’t shake Dallas until late.
The Thunder struggled from beyond the arc for much of the game, going just 6 of 29 (20.7%) through the first three quarters.
Oklahoma City took the lead with an early 12-0 run fueled by six points and an alley-oop assist from Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder led by as many as 16 points in the first half but Dallas quickly cut that deficit in half.
Oklahoma City finally pulled away to start the fourth quarter, even with Gilgeous-Alexander on the bench.
Isaiah Joe scored eight consecutive Thunder points during a 10-2 run to start the final quarter that extended Oklahoma City’s lead to 22.
Isaiah Hartenstein had three assists during that decisive stretch, including twice finding Joe for 3-pointers to help the Thunder show some life from beyond the arc.
Dallas did pull within 14 with less than five minutes to go.
Chet Holmgren added 19 points and nine rebounds in the win while Joe added 14 points off the bench.
Caleb Martin led the Mavericks with 18 points while Brandon Williams and Max Christie added 14.
Dallas’ Klay Thompson left the game late in the second quarter with a right adductor contusion and did not return.
–Field Level Media
