Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams were the night’s stars, scoring 36 points, as the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched a 129-120 victory against the New York Knicks during Wednesday’s NBA action.
The game, marked by Williams’ crucial 3-pointers in the final quarter, was the Thunder’s third back-to-back of the season following their win over the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised the team’s depth, which allowed key players to conserve energy for a strong second-half performance. Williams, particularly effective in the fourth quarter, scored 17 points, including two pivotal 3-pointers during a crucial 10-2 run.
“I thought we really got into our depth in the first half, and we were able to keep the minutes under control and still have control of the game,” Daigneault said. “We played a lot of different guys and we had a very balanced rotation minutes-wise in the first half, which allows you to hit the gas in the second half with the higher-minute guys.”
The Thunder’s cohesive play was evident as Williams noted his effective two-man plays with teammate Chet Holmgren, who added 22 points. This synergy was vital in maintaining the lead despite the Knicks’ efforts to close the gap.
The Knicks, led by Julius Randle with 25 points and Jalen Brunson with 24, struggled with turnovers that led to 21 points for the Thunder. New York coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged the turnovers as a significant factor in their loss despite their resilience throughout the game.
“We started slowly. We were playing from behind,” Thibodeau said. “I thought we had pretty good resolve. We didn’t let it get away from us, and then we couldn’t finish it in the end.”
“I thought our turnovers hurt us, and some of that is they’re coming after the ball,” Thibodeau explained. “Sometimes, if you’re not getting a call, you can get frustrated that way. But I thought the rebounding was good enough. The turnovers put them in the open floor, so it gave them a cushion.”
Oklahoma City had a strong start, leading by 13 points at the end of the first quarter and extending it in the second. However, the Knicks fought back, narrowing the lead to just five points before halftime. The Thunder held a narrow lead going into the final quarter, thanks to Gilgeous-Alexander’s 19 first-half points and a strong third-quarter performance from Randle.
The game’s outcome sets the stage for the Knicks’ next challenge against the Orlando Magic and the Thunder’s upcoming game against the Denver Nuggets, both scheduled for Friday night.
