01/21/26 11:53:00
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01/21 23:52 CST Gilgeous-Alexander scores 40 points as short-handed Thunder
roll past Bucks 122-102
Gilgeous-Alexander scores 40 points as short-handed Thunder roll past Bucks
122-102
By STEVE MEGARGEE
AP Sports Writer
MILWAUKEE (AP) --- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 points, 11 assists and seven
rebounds and the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder withstood multiple
injury-related absences to trounce the Milwaukee Bucks 122-102 on Thursday
night.
The Thunder won for the seventh time in eight games despite playing without
Jalen Williams (strained right hamstring), Isaiah Hartenstein (strained right
soleus), Alex Caruso (strained right adductor), Aaron Wiggins (sore right
groin) and Jaylin Williams (bruised left glute).
Gilgeous-Alexander picked up the slack, as the reigning MVP shot 16 of 19 from
the floor.
According to Sportradar, this marked just the second time since at least the
1980-81 season that a player had 40 points and 10 assists in a game while
shooting 80% or better. Coincidentally, the other instance was just a day
earlier, when Toronto's Immanuel Quickley had 40 points and 10 assists while
shooting 11 of 13 in the Raptors' 145-127 victory over the Golden State
Warriors on Tuesday.
Oklahoma City's Ajay Mitchell scored 18 points in the first half and ended up
playing 25 minutes before leaving with a hip bruise. Kenrich Williams also
scored 18 points for the Thunder, who shot 54.4% from the floor.
Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo had 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists.
The Bucks were missing Myles Turner due to a sprained left ankle and Kevin
Porter Jr. because of a strained oblique. Bucks coach Doc Rivers said before
the game that Turner was day to day, but that Porter is "not going to play
anytime soon."
Porter's injury resulted in more playing time for Cole Anthony, who responded
with 17 points off the bench. Bobby Portis added 15 points and a career-high
nine assists.
Milwaukee lost despite getting 46 points from its bench.
Oklahoma City scored the game's first seven points and never looked back while
closing a four-game trip in which it went 3-1. Milwaukee committed eight of its
16 turnovers in the first quarter as the Thunder built a 38-18 lead.
The margin never dropped below 14 the rest of the way as Oklahoma City led by
as many as 25.
Up next
Thunder: Host the Indiana Pacers on Friday.
Bucks: Host the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
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