Thunder Completes Series Sweep Of Beal-less Wizards, 127-110

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder completed a regular-season sweep of the Washington Wizards with a 127-110 win on Friday night.

Josh Giddey added 20 points, nine assists and five rebounds for Oklahoma City, which shot 51% from the field, including 45.9% (17 of 37) from 3-point range. The Thunder seized control with a dominant first quarter – outscoring the Wizards 35-17 – and nine Oklahoma City players made at least one 3-pointer.

Kyle Kuzma scored 23 points, Daniel Gafford had 15 points and nine rebounds and Kristaps Porzingis added 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Wizards, who were playing without their top scorer, Bradley Beal. Beal was diagnosed Thursday with a low-grade left hamstring strain and won’t be re-evaluated for at least a week.

Oklahoma City needed a last-second basket from Gilgeous-Alexander to win 121-120 at Washington on Nov. 16, but the Thunder mostly cruised in the rematch, leading by as many as 27 points.

A 14-2 run early in the first quarter put Oklahoma City ahead 21-9 and the Thunder’s lead never fell below double digits the rest of the game. Oklahoma City scored the final eight points of the first half to take a 68-42 lead. That was the Thunder’s largest halftime lead of the season.

Despite a 38-point third quarter for the Wizards, they came no closer than 18 points. That’s in good part because they also allowed the Thunder 35 points in the period.

Washington pulled within 14 points at 117-103 with 4:55 left on a basket by Gafford, but rookie Jalen Williams hit a pair of free throws and Gilgeous-Alexander followed with a basket with 3:49 left, ending the threat. Washington made 7 of 24 3-point attempts (29.2%).

TIP-INS:

Wizards: Beal has missed 16 of Washington’s 40 games this season due to various ailments. … Washington posted its lowest first-half-point total of the season with 42. … Porzingis’ double-double was his 13th of the season. … Forward Taj Gibson was available to play despite left groin soreness, but didn’t see action. … The Wizards had won four of the last five and six of the last eight games against the Thunder before Friday.

Thunder: Williams just missed a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds. … Luguentz Dort scored 18 points. … Center Mike Muscala made his second start of the season and his 31st during his 10-season NBA career. He finished with 10 points and five rebounds. … Washington’s 17 points were the fewest first-quarter points allowed by the Thunder this season. … Dating to last season, Gilgeous-Alexander has recorded 32 30-point performances over his last 47 games played.

UP NEXT:

Wizards: Return home to host the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.

Thunder: Host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

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