National Basketball Association
Oklahoma City 123, Portland 121
When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, December 19, 2022
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Officials: #21 Dedric Taylor, #91 Cheryl Flores, #19 James Capers
Attendance: 14672

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capped a 35-point effort by draining a 14-foot jumper at the buzzer to give the Oklahoma City Thunder a 123-121 victory over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.

The result spoiled the night for Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard, who became the franchise's all-time leading scorer in the third quarter.

It was Gilgeous-Alexander's second last-moment, game-winning shot this season. He also accomplished the feat on Nov. 16 at Washington.

Gilgeous-Alexander caught the inbounds pass with three seconds remaining, spun to his right and then elevated over Justise Winslow, launching a floater that dropped through the net as the buzzer sounded to give the Thunder their second consecutive win.

Just moments earlier, it looked as if Lillard had sent the game to overtime with a reverse layup to tie the game at 121-121.

Instead, Gilgeous-Alexander finished it off in regulation.

Gilgeous-Alexander struggled from the field much of the game but was 4 of 7 in the fourth quarter. He helped keep Oklahoma City in the game by hitting all 14 of his free-throw chances, including four in the fourth.

Lillard came into the game needing 21 points to pass Clyde Drexler as the leading scorer in Portland history. He tied Drexler early in the third quarter, pulling up well behind the 3-point arc and draining the shot to extend the Trail Blazers' lead to five.

Lillard missed his next three shots but finally grabbed the record at the free-throw line late in the quarter.

In the timeout a few moments after reaching the mark, Lillard received handshakes and hugs from his teammates and coaches as the accomplishment was acknowledged in the arena, drawing a standing ovation from the visiting crowd. Lillard was soon greeted by his 4-year-old son, Damian Lillard Jr.

Three turnovers in the final 2:08 helped sink Portland, with Luguentz Dort's steal leading to a Gilgeous-Alexander step-back that put Oklahoma City up 116-115 with 1:59 left.

Then with the Trail Blazers up by one with 19 seconds left, Anfernee Simons reached out and tipped an inbounds pass intended for teammate Lillard, leading to a pair of free throws from Gilgeous-Alexander.

Jalen Williams followed by stealing the ball from Lillard, then hitting one of two free throws with 6.8 seconds remaining to set up the final sequence.

Lillard finished with 28 points while Jerami Grant added 26 in the loss.

No Thunder player other than Gilgeous-Alexander scored more than 13 points, but six other Oklahoma City players scored in double figures.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Portland   Oklahoma City
Damian Lillard 28 Scoring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 35
Josh Hart 6 Assists Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 6
Jerami Grant 8 Rebounds Jalen Williams 7
Jerami Grant 5 Free Throws Made Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 14
Jerami Grant 2 Steals Kenrich Williams 2
Drew Eubanks 2 Blocks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Portland 121 50.0 16-37 17-21 26 45 2 5 16
Oklahoma City 123 45.5 11-31 32-37 20 39 5 7 12
Upcoming Games
  • Oklahoma City will play their next game at home against Portland. The Thunder have a W/L % of .538 after a win and .333 after a loss.
  • Portland will play their next game on the road against Oklahoma City. The Trail Blazers have a W/L % of .471 after a win and .643 after a loss.