Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Wednesday sank a clutch three-pointer to secure a hard-fought 103-100 win for the Oklahoma City Thunder over the New York Knicks.
Victory improved the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player’s remarkable personal record at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks to 7-0, and a fourth consecutive team win extended the Thunder’s lead on top of the Western Conference.
“We got the car back on the road in the fourth quarter, we were able to give ourselves a chance,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with 26 points plus eight assists. “Late game, you’ve just got to figure it out. I made plays. Guys made plays. We still got here with a W.”
Photo: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Oklahoma City had led for much of the game. Chet Holmgren top-scored with 28 points, including 22 in a sensational first half.
The Knicks were restricted to just 40 points in the first half by some clinical Thunder defending, with New York’s star man Jalen Brunson managing just two points under intense marking before the midway break.
However, the Knicks poured in 40 more in the third quarter, with a reinvigorated Brunson’s three-pointer finally drawing the scores level and bringing the home crowd roaring to life.
The Knicks took a slender lead into the final stretch, but the advantage did not last, as Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren rallied.
With barely a minute remaining, a step-back jump shot by Gilgeous-Alexander opened up a seven-point gap. Brunson closed it to three, but with just six seconds remaining, his game-tying attempt from beyond the arc just missed.
“It’s always great to come away with a win. No better place to do it than the Mecca,” Holmgren said.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, the Charlotte Hornets stung the Boston Celtics 118-98, the Philadelphia 76ers survived the Utah Jazz 106-102, the Portland Trailblazers topped the Memphis Grizzlies 122-114, the Atlanta Hawks clawed the Milwaukee Bucks 131-113 and the Los Angeles Clippers outplayed the Indiana Pacers 130-117.
Additional reporting by staff writer