Look no further for the spoilsport of this end of the season, it’s Charlotte! After beating the Mavericks twice, Steve Clifford’s players come to win 137-134 at OKC! A success for the butter for the Hornets, but which could cost the Thunder dearly when it comes to doing the accounts.
However, OKC had started the meeting perfectly thanks to the vista of Josh Giddey and the power of Jalen Williams. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander absent, these two partners are well in attack, and after a 3-point buzzer from Isaiah Joe, OKC quietly leads 68-57 at the break.
But the Hornets have the answer, and especially players who need to show themselves. Like the French Théo Maledon who plays the conductors in front of his former team. His agreement with PJ Washington changes the face of the game, and the strong winger of Charlotte flies over the second half. From anywhere on the pitch, it hits the bull’s eye! He scored 22 points in the last quarter, and Maledon even gave the Hornets a 13-point lead (123-110) in the middle of the last quarter.
The Thunder then embarks on a final last stand with the Giddey-Williams duo. The first cuts the defense to go dunk, while Williams equalizes (129-129). But the two each miss a shot, and it’s Nick Richards on a tap that gives the Hornets some air (137-134). The equalizer ball is for Jalen Williams, but his 3-pointer hits the back of the circle. The Thunder has just fried a perhaps decisive cartridge!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
Record night. Four players took advantage of the evening to break their career points record. This is PJ Washington at the Hornets with 43 points, but also Isaiah Joe (33 points) and the Giddey-Williams tandem, 31 points each.
The bad operation of OKC. A victory would have allowed the Thunder to climb to 8th place. But here they are 10th, with the same record as the Mavericks, 11th. After meetings against the Pistons and the Pacers, already on leave, they will end the season with four big games, against the Suns, the Warriors, the Jazz and finally the Grizzlies.
TOPS & FLOPS
✅ PJ Washington. The best second half of his career against a struggling Thunder team due to his versatility and distant address.
✅ Theo Maledon. All in control, the French sign one of his best career matches with 19 points and 9 assists, but also 4 blocks! Holder, he let the game come to him, and he was rewarded.
✅Josh Giddey. An artist, able to become a scorer if needed. He makes up for his lack of athleticism with impeccable technique.
✅ The Williams-Joe duo. The two are ultra-complementary with the power and percussion of Williams, and the distant address of Joe. The Thunder are keeping their pair of exteriors for the future.
⛔The Thunder bench. Facing the Hornets who played 8, OKC did not take advantage of its wealth of staff. Kai Jones hurt the Thunder a lot with his athleticism and dynamism.
THE FOLLOWING
OKC (37-39) : reception of the Pistons this evening.
Charlotte (26-51) : reception of the Bulls on Friday.
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