On January 3rd, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued, with the Thunder defeating the Clippers 116-98, achieving a triple kill against their opponents this season. Harden was absent due to right groin soreness, while Alexander played three quarters and scored 29 points with 8 assists. The Clippers led by as many as 16 points in the first half, but the Thunder turned the game around in the third quarter with a 42-20 run, widening the gap and ultimately securing the victory. This win marks the Thunder's 13th consecutive victory, setting a new team record for the Oklahoma City era. Powell had a cold hand, shooting only 1 out of 11 throughout the game.
Statistical Highlights
Clippers: Coffey scored 26 points with 6 three-pointers, Zubac had 11 points and 9 rebounds, Porter contributed 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, Powell had 6 points, 2 assists, and 6 turnovers (1 out of 11 shooting), Bamba scored 12 points with 8 rebounds, Little Jones had 6 points and 6 rebounds, Dunn scored 8 points with 5 rebounds, and Miller added 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Thunder: Alexander scored 29 points with 8 assists, Jalen Williams had 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists, Harten contributed 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, Wiggins scored 9 points with 4 rebounds, Dort had 9 points, Wallace scored 9 points, Mitchell added 11 points, and Joe contributed 9 points.
Star of the Game
Alexander, who has just won the monthly MVP award for the second consecutive time, continued his stable performance, leading his team to a 13-game winning streak.
Game Recap
In the first quarter, Alexander scored 4 points in a row, followed by Little Jones and Zubac scoring consecutively under the basket. Coffey hit a three-pointer, and Harten made a mid-range shot. Alexander completed a 2+1 play, and Dunn also scored 5 points in a row. Jalin Williams made a layup, and the Clippers then went on a 12-2 run, with Coffey and Porter scoring continuously, giving the Clippers an 8-point lead. At the end of the first quarter, the Clippers led the Thunder 30-22.
In the second quarter, Bamba hit a three-pointer, and Porter and Bamba made layups, extending the Clippers' lead to 16 points. Kenwei hit a three-pointer, and Jalen Williams scored 5 points in a row, with the Thunder going on an 8-0 run to reduce the deficit to single digits. Porter dunked over Harten, and Coffey and Dort exchanged three-pointers, with Joe and Alexander also making shots from beyond the arc. Jalen Williams made a buzzer-beating layup at the end of the half, and the Clippers led the Thunder 52-48 at halftime. In the first half, Alexander scored 14 points with 6 assists, Porter had 10 points, and Powell missed all 5 of his shots, scoring only 3 points from free throws.
In the third quarter, Jalen Williams scored 6 points in a row, Coffey hit a three-pointer, Harten completed a 2+1 play, Wiggins hit a three-pointer, Jalen Williams dunked, and Alexander unleashed a barrage of offensive moves, including three-pointers, mid-range shots, and dunks, leading the Thunder on a 31-10 run that not only overtook the Clippers but also extended the lead to 17 points. Dunn hit a three-pointer, and Dort also made a three-pointer, ending the third quarter with the Thunder leading the Clippers 90-72.
In the fourth quarter, Bamba hit a three-pointer, Wallace made a layup, Mitchell hit a three-pointer, and Harten scored with a dunk, giving the Thunder a 23-point lead. Powell finally made his first field goal of the game, but he was already 1 out of 11. Wallace and Kenwei continued to hit three-pointers, extending the Thunder's lead to 28 points with 7 minutes and 11 seconds left in the game. Both teams then substituted most of their starters, and the game entered garbage time. Ultimately, the Thunder easily defeated the Clippers.
Starting Lineups
Clippers: Dunn, Powell, Little Derrick Jones, Coffey, Zubac
Thunder: Alexander, Wiggins, Jalen Williams, Dort, Harten