Shai Gilgeous-Alexander collected 27 points and 10 assists to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 127-101 home win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
The Thunder have won 20 of their last 23 games overall and 11 straight in Oklahoma City.
While Gilgeous-Alexander returned after missing Friday’s loss in Dallas, the Thunder were without Jalen Williams for the first time this season. Williams missed the game with a right hip strain.
Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t show ill effects from the wrist sprain that kept him out Friday, hanging off the rim for several seconds after a first-quarter dunk.
The Nets missed their first eight shots, not hitting from the field until more than 4:30 into the game.
While Brooklyn struggled offensively early, Oklahoma City got off to a hot startm primarily from the perimeter.
Oklahoma City started 8 of 11 from beyond the arc, and hit nine 3-pointers in the first quarter, including 4 of 5 from Isaiah Joe.
Brooklyn was just 2 of 14 from beyond the arc in the first quarter, and the Thunder led by as many as 27 points in the period.
Brooklyn didn’t fade away quickly, though, cutting the deficit to 12 midway through the second quarter.
Oklahoma City padded the cushion back to 20 again by halftime, and the Nets never pulled closer than 13 the rest of the way.
With the game well in hand, Gilgeous-Alexander, who also had four steals, didn’t play in the fourth quarter.
Joe scored 24 points — going 8 of 10 from beyond the arc.
Oklahoma City shot 55.2 percent from the floor, its third-best shooting game of the season.
Cameron Johnson returned for the Nets after missing the last two games and seven of their previous eight with an ankle sprain.
Brooklyn is winless in all nine games Johnson has missed this season.
Tyrese Martin and Johnson led Brooklyn with 15 points each.
Brooklyn lost its third straight game and 19th in their last 24.
