Thunder use big third quarter to rally past Nets, 121-107
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, Josh Giddey had 15 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Brooklyn Nets 121-107 on Tuesday night for their sixth win in seven games.
Lu Dort matched his season high with 24 points and added nine rebounds for Oklahoma City, which rallied from a 14-point, first-half deficit thanks mostly to a sizzling third quarter, during which Dort made five 3-pointers.
Mikal Bridges scored 34 points and Cam Johnson added 23 for Brooklyn, which had won five of its last six games, with four of those wins on the road.
The Nets looked at times as if they’d run away in the first half before settling for a 62-52 halftime lead. To that point, Oklahoma City had made only 2 of 10 from 3-point range, but led by Dort, the Thunder went 8 of 15 from behind the arc while outscoring Brooklyn 38-20 in the third quarter.
The Nets missed all seven of their 3-point attempts during the quarter and trailed 90-82 entering the fourth. They came no closer than five points the rest of the way and at the end, Oklahoma City pushed its lead to as many as 15 points.
Giddey finished off his fourth triple-double of the season with a basket with 6:46 left. Jalen Williams added 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Spencer Dinwiddie had 16 points and 11 assists, while Nic Claxton had 12 points and 12 rebounds for Brooklyn.
TIP-INS
Nets: Ben Simmons missed an 11th straight game with soreness in his left knee and back. Coach Jacque Vaughn said there’s been “zero” discussion about shutting down Simmons for the season … Seven of Dinwiddie’s assists came in the first quarter.
Thunder: Oklahoma City hadn’t beaten Brooklyn at home since March 3, 2019, having lost the previous two meetings inside the Paycom Center … Lindy Waters III started the second half in the place of rookie Jaylin Williams … Oklahoma City shot no free throws during its big third quarter, while Brooklyn shot 20, making 14.
UP NEXT
Nets: Host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.
Thunder: At Toronto on Thursday.