Washington Wizards center Mike Muscala, second from left, and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe, right, battle for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Washington, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren lead Thunder past Wizards 136-128
WASHINGTON (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points, Chet Holmgren added 31 and the Oklahoma City Thunder led most of the way in a 136-128 victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday night.
Washington Wizards center Mike Muscala, second from left, and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe, right, battle for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Washington, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points, Chet Holmgren added 31 and the Oklahoma City Thunder led most of the way in a 136-128 victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday night.
Jalen Williams added 21 points and 10 assists for the Thunder, who avoided a third loss following defeats at Atlanta and Brooklyn to begin a four-game road trip.
Oklahoma City, which entered as the NBA's second-best shooters, went 59.1% (52 of 88) from the floor and 50% (14 of 28) from 3-point range, narrowly missing season highs in both categories.
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Holmgren spearheaded that effort, making 11 of 14 shots and going 4 of 5 from beyond the arc.
Jordan Poole scored 24 points, and Kyle Kuzma added 22 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in Washington's fifth-straight defeat.
Tyus Jones added 18 points and had nine assists for the Wizards, who lost despite going 46.9% (15 of 32) from 3-point range.
But Kuzma — Washington's leader in average 3s made and attempted — missed on all five of his attempts from beyond the arc. And after his layup pulled Washington to within 100-97 late in the third, Gilgeous-Alexander answered with a driving bank shot before the period expired.
Williams' 11 fourth-quarter points helped ensure the Thunder maintained a multiple-possession lead for the remainder of the contest.
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