Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an impressive performance with 40 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a convincing 122-102 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. This triumph marked the Thunder’s seventh win in their last eight games, showcasing their resilience despite multiple absences in their lineup due to injuries.
The Thunder were without key players including Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins, and Jaylin Williams, all sidelined with various injuries. However, Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, rose to the occasion, shooting an astonishing 16 of 19 from the field. This remarkable performance was only the second instance since the 1980-81 season where a player scored at least 40 points and recorded 10 assists while shooting 80% or better, the first being Toronto’s Immanuel Quickley just a day earlier.
Supporting Gilgeous-Alexander, Ajay Mitchell contributed 18 points in the first half, although he exited the game with a hip bruise, and Kenrich Williams also added 18 points. The Thunder shot 54.4% from the field overall, establishing a solid offensive rhythm early on in the game.
On the other side, Milwaukee’s star player Giannis Antetokounmpo registered a double-double with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Thunder’s early lead. The Bucks were missing key players Myles Turner due to a sprained ankle and Kevin Porter Jr., who is dealing with a strained oblique. Coach Doc Rivers indicated that Turner is day-to-day, while Porter’s recovery timeline remains uncertain. Cole Anthony stepped up off the bench to score 17 points, while Bobby Portis contributed 15 points along with a career-high nine assists. Despite the bench’s solid output, which totaled 46 points, Milwaukee struggled with turnovers, committing eight of their 16 in the first quarter alone.
Oklahoma City quickly scored the game’s first seven points and maintained control throughout. They built an impressive 38-18 lead by the end of the first quarter, and the Bucks were unable to close the gap, as the Thunder led by as many as 25 points.
Looking ahead, the Thunder will host the Indiana Pacers on Friday, while the Bucks will face the Denver Nuggets in their next matchup. This resilient performance from the Thunder not only highlights their depth but also sets an optimistic tone as they navigate through injuries and continue to solidify their position as one of the top teams in the league.