After its prestigious victory against the first in the Western Conference, the Thunder did it again against the Knicks. And, the least we can say is that the OKC troop kept the hot hand. With Jalen Williams starting on a 3/4, when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returns 4 of his first 5 attempts, OKC starts off with a bang. Opposite, the Knicks are caught by the throat, like Julius Randle being deprived of the ball twice in a row.
No record this time, but close! With 38 points scored, at an excellent 16/25 (i.e. 64% success rate), including a no less brilliant 6/8 from 3-point range, the Thunder already have a comfortable mattress after 12 minutes (38-25).
Less skillful than their opponents, and already guilty of 8 lost balls, the Knicks nevertheless managed to reduce the distance at the start of the 2nd quarter. The fault is Immanuel Quickley who scores 7 quick points off the bench. New York returns to -5 only with an address found from afar (6/9 over the period). But the return to business of SGA restores order in the Thunder house, like his basket plus the fault, facing an incredulous Randle.
The duo Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (19) – Jalen Williams (14) scored half of the Thunder's points, and allowed the locals to stay in front at the halfway point (69-60).
J-Dub takes matters into its own hands
Quickly at +12, OKC seemed to keep control of the match after returning from the locker room. But a sluggish period in attack, combined with a surge from the visitors from the Big Apple, completely revived the game. The Knicks in fact pass a scathing 16-4 to tie at 81 everywhere behind their major duo, Brunson – Randle.
SGA may squirm in all directions to sneak to the circle, like an eel through the cracks of the net, OKC is clearly losing speed (and skill) against the more aggressive defense of the Knicks, at only +4 before the last quarter (93-89).
Coming back very close, the Knicks were unable to get over the hump, despite the efforts of Immanuel Quickley. It must be said that Jalen Williams takes care of everything while SGA rests on the bench. Well helped by an efficient Chet Holmgren, J-Dub gives some fresh air to his team. The two men even tilted the balance 3 minutes from the end, with a counter from the first on Randle, and a 3-pointer from the second in stride, to regain a 10-length lead.
With SGA and Jalen Williams at 36 points each, the Thunder pockets a second success in a row, and the fifth in their last six meetings (129-120) to strengthen their place in the leading group in the West.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Jalen Williams in record mode. Author of 17 of his 36 points in the last quarter, including 8 points and two long shots to seal the fate of the match at 10-2, Jalen Williams quite simply had the best match of his young career. Received 5/5 at 3-points, and very clean at 13/17 on shots in the end, he weighed in with all his weight.
– SGA with MJ and AI. If you can be identified with your initials alone, it means you have achieved something in the Great League. And, for good reason, the All-Star leader of the Thunder is now recognizable in three letters, even becoming a member of a very restricted club, with Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson, with 10 games in a row at 25 points and 2 minimum interceptions. As elusive as ever, he finished the game against the Knicks with 36 points, plus 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 interceptions and even 2 blocks.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
