Thunder fight back to down LA Clippers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matched his career high with 32 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder rallied to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 118-112 yesterday.
Oklahoma City trailed by 18 points in the second quarter, making it the third time in seven days the Thunder overcame a deficit that big to win.
Paul George scored 18 points in his first game back in Oklahoma City since being traded from the Thunder to the Clippers. He was cheered during pre-game introductions.
Los Angeles scoring leader Kawhi Leonard sat out because of left knee soreness.
Dennis Schroder scored 28 points and Steven Adams added 20 points and 17 rebounds to help the Thunder win their fourth straight game. Oklahoma City have won nine of 12 to move above .500 for the first time this season.
Lou Williams scored 22 points for Los Angeles and Montrezl Harrell had 18.
The Clippers led 63-57 at halftime, with Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 19 points for the Thunder.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s layup tied it at 66-66 in the third quarter. After the Clippers seemed to regain control, the Thunder hung. Chris Paul’s three-pointer at the thirdquarter buzzer cut it to 89-86.
With 5:35 to play, Harrell appeared to score and draw a foul. The basket would have given the Clippers a 100-94 lead with a free throw coming. The Thunder challenged the call and it was changed to an offensive foul on Harrell.
The Thunder took advantage. Schroder’s three-pointer put the Thunder ahead, then Adams had a steal and a layup to make it 110-106 with 1:19 to play. After the Thunder got a stop, Schroder’s layup put the Thunder up by six.