Oklahoma City Thunder demolish Phoenix Suns 138-89 for a 16th consecutive victory, advancing to the NBA Cup semi-finals in Las Vegas
SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER scored 28 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a 16th consecutive victory to romp into the NBA Cup semi-finals with a 138-89 rout of the Phoenix Suns.
The reigning NBA champions improved to 24-1, equalling the best 25-game start to a season in league history.
They dominated from start to finish to book their place in the final four in Las Vegas.
The Suns will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or San Antonio Spurs on Saturday for a place in next week’s final.
On Wednesday’s evidence, few would bet against Oklahoma City completing an NBA Finals-NBA Cup double.
“We hold ourselves to a high standard, and most importantly it’s about us getting better,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after an offensive display that included 22 Thunder three-pointers.
“We just moved the ball really well,” he added.
Gilgeous-Alexander has now scored 20 points or more in 96 consecutive games.
Oklahoma City are aiming to go one better than last season, when they reached the NBA Cup final only to be upset by Milwaukee.
“We should be in a good position — we’ve got a lot better since last year, we’ll see how it goes,” Alexander said.
The Thunder blowout was all but assured after a devastating 38-point first quarter.
They followed with 36 points in the second to reach half-time with a commanding 74-48 lead.
The carnage continued after halftime, with Oklahoma City leading by as many as 53 points.
Gilgeous-Alexander received offensive support from Chet Holmgren, whose 24 points included a perfect 4-of-4 from three-point range.
Holmgren also had eight rebounds and three blocks.
He was at the center of a third-quarter flashpoint, with frustrated Suns point guard Grayson Allen getting ejected for a rough bodycheck.
Oklahoma City’s start equals the 24-1 record compiled by the Golden State Warriors at the start of the 2015-2016 campaign.
That Warriors team went on to finish a history-making 73-9 regular season record. – AFP
