Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 46 points, including a game-tying buzzer-beater, to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 129-125 overtime win over the Utah Jazz.
LOS ANGELES: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rescued the Oklahoma City Thunder with a game-tying buzzer-beater before finishing with 46 points in a 129-125 overtime victory against the Utah Jazz.
The reigning NBA champions looked to be heading for a third straight loss after the Jazz inched into a 114-112 lead with just three seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
But NBA Most Valuable Player Gilgeous-Alexander drained a superb 13-foot jump shot to tie it up at 114-114 as the buzzer sounded to send the game into overtime.
Gilgeous-Alexander then took over in the extra period with nine points as the Western Conference leaders returned to winning ways after back-to-back defeats.
“We just tried to stay in the moment and do whatever it took to get the W,” Gilgeous-Alexander said afterwards.
He added that his clutch shot was what he practices for, stating, “I work out for the moments when the game is at its tightest and you need plays.”
Gilgeous-Alexander, who also had six rebounds and six assists, was backed with 23 points and 12 rebounds from Chet Holmgren.
Oklahoma City improved to 31-7 at the top of the Western Conference.
In other NBA action, the San Antonio Spurs took advantage of LeBron James’s absence to secure a 107-91 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Victor Wembanyama scored 16 points from the bench while Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with 27 points.
The Denver Nuggets improved to 25-12 after powering past the in-form Boston Celtics on the road, unleashing a barrage of 20 three-pointers.
Peyton Watson scored 30 points with six three-pointers while Jamal Murray finished with 22 points and 17 assists.
At the top of the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons moved to 28-9 after a 108-93 defeat of the Chicago Bulls.
In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid’s 28 points helped the 76ers trounce the Washington Wizards 131-110.
The New York Knicks ended their four-game losing streak with a 123-111 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, with Jalen Brunson scoring 26 points.
“For the most part, we played a little desperate tonight,” Brunson said. “We needed a win.”
In Memphis, former Grizzlies star Dillon Brooks returned to haunt his former club with 21 points for the Phoenix Suns in a 117-98 rout.
