Oklahoma City beat the Clippers 108-101 on Sunday to move to 2-0, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 34. The Suns visit on Monday, with the Thunder on a one-day turnaround after two days of rest.
How the game was shaped
The Thunder took control early. From 12-12 in the first quarter they ran off nine straight points to lead 21-12, and their biggest lead of the night was nine. The Clippers answered with an 8-0 burst to get within 20-21, then took a three-point lead at their best. The Thunder finished the quarter up 23-20 and held on for the seven-point win. Darius Garland led the Clippers with 16 points and 11 assists, which kept Los Angeles in range.
Grades from the stat lines
Gilgeous-Alexander gets an A. His 34 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists carried the offense after Thursday's quiet night against Denver, when his 20-point streak ended at 141 games. The Thunder have now won both home and road games without needing a complicated night from anyone else. Garland earns a B-plus for the Clippers, but his passing was not enough to offset the Thunder's early cushion.
What it changes for Monday
At 2-0 and third in the West, Oklahoma City sits 1.5 games ahead of the 11th seed, and Minnesota is the sixth seed at 2-0. Phoenix comes in at 1-1 and without Mark Williams, who is out with a shoulder injury. Oso Ighodaro is day-to-day. The Thunder have their own questions: Cason Wallace and Jaylin Williams are day-to-day with estimated returns of October 26. Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber carry the same estimate. After the Suns come road games at Dallas, Houston and Cleveland, so Monday is the last home game before a longer trip.
What was the score of the Thunder-Clippers game?
Oklahoma City won 108-101 on October 25. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 34 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
Where are the Thunder in the West after two games?
They are 2-0 and in third place in the West. They are 1.5 games ahead of the 11th seed and level in the loss column with sixth-place Minnesota.
