National Basketball Association
Oklahoma City 106, Charlotte 94
When: 6:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 28, 2024
Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
Officials: #24 Kevin Scott, #78 Evan Scott, #49 Tom Washington
Attendance: 19325

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander again led Oklahoma City in scoring with 22 points in the Thunder's 106-94 road victory against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night.

Jalen Williams racked up 20 points, Aaron Wiggins had 17 points, Isaiah Hartenstein provided 12 points and 15 rebounds and Ajay Mitchell added 10 points as the Thunder won their fifth in a row and their 10th in the last 11 outings.

Miles Bridges scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but Charlotte's losing streak reached seven.

The Hornets played without LaMelo Ball, who entered Saturday fourth in the NBA in scoring at 30.1 points per game, because of wrist and ankle soreness. Brandon Miller (ankle sprain) was out again after returning two nights earlier and racking up 18 points.

Seth Curry, who didn't play in Thursday's loss at Washington, was in Charlotte's starting lineup and supplied 12 points. Vasilije Micic posted 16 points, Mark Williams had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Josh Green and reserve Isaiah Wong both had 10 points.

Gilgeous-Alexander has been the Thunder's top scorer in nine of the last 10 games, doing so Saturday night despite shooting 1-for-6 on 3-pointers.

Oklahoma City was just 10-for-38 on 3s, but Charlotte didn't take advantage by going 11-for-34 on 3-pointers even though it sank 25 of 28 free-throw attempts.

The Hornets, who committed 18 turnovers, closed within 92-81 early in the fourth quarter. The Thunder posted the next eight points.

Charlotte was within 45-40 with less than five minutes to play in the second quarter, but Williams notched two of Oklahoma City's three 3-point baskets in the final 3 1/2 minutes of the half.

Gilgeous-Alexander and Wiggins both had 13 first-half points as the Thunder led 61-46 at the break. Oklahoma City made 54.2 percent of its shots in the opening half compared to Charlotte's 38.5 percent.

The margin grew to 20 by late in the third quarter.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Oklahoma City   Charlotte
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 22 Scoring Miles Bridges 19
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 6 Assists Miles Bridges 6
Isaiah Hartenstein 15 Rebounds Miles Bridges 10
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 5 Free Throws Made Miles Bridges 8
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2 Steals Josh Green 3
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 1 Blocks Miles Bridges 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Oklahoma City 106 47.7 10-38 12-14 29 49 1 9 17
Charlotte 94 36.2 11-34 25-28 17 44 5 9 18
Upcoming Games
  • Charlotte will play their next game at home against Chicago. The Hornets have a W/L % of .143 after a win and .250 after a loss.
  • Oklahoma City will play their next game at home against Memphis. The Thunder have a W/L % of .833 after a win and .833 after a loss.