Gilgeous-Alexander Returns With 36 Points as Thunder Edge Nuggets in Overtime
The reigning MVP came back from a nine-game absence with an abdominal strain to lead Oklahoma City to a 127-121 overtime win over Denver in a physical, foul-filled game.
By Zanele Khumalo ·
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a scoring return to the Oklahoma City Thunder lineup, putting up 36 points after missing nine games with an abdominal strain. The Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets 127-121 in overtime on Friday night, in a contentious game that included several technical fouls and an ejection.
The reigning MVP started and received loud applause when he was introduced before tip-off. His first basket came on a driving layup roughly two minutes into the game. Gilgeous-Alexander sat out the extra period, but his teammates still closed out the win.
Tempers flared from the opening minutes. Gilgeous-Alexander drew an early technical foul for complaining to officials after Nikola Jokic made contact with him and no foul was called. Denver's bench was later assessed a technical in the third quarter, and players traded words and shoves throughout the night.
Denver controlled much of the first half, making 11 of 20 3-pointers before the break to lead 59-50. Gilgeous-Alexander had 18 points by halftime. He added 14 in the third quarter to help Oklahoma City cut into the deficit, though the Nuggets still carried an 83-77 advantage into the fourth.
The Thunder opened the final period strongly, and a 3-pointer from Lu Dort gave Oklahoma City its first lead of the second half at 86-85. A few minutes later, Dort was ejected after a Flagrant 2 foul on Jokic. The play set off a scrum near midcourt and ended with offsetting technical fouls on Jokic and the Thunder's Jaylin Williams.
Jokic finished with 23 points, 17 rebounds and 14 assists, while Jamal Murray led Denver with 39 points. Murray had been listed as questionable before the game because of an illness.
The score was tied at 107 at the end of regulation, sending the game to overtime, where Oklahoma City pulled away.
The rivalry carries recent weight. The Thunder beat the Nuggets 4-3 in last year's Western Conference semifinals. Oklahoma City also won the first two meetings between the teams this season, and they are scheduled to play each other twice more.
Originally published by News Media House · Source: News 9 (KWTV)
