Three takeaways from OKC’s 118-112 win over the Clippers

Oklahoma City overcame another double-digit deficit to win, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied his career-high, and OKC dominated in the paint.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are over .500 for the first time this season at 15-14, thanks to a 118-112 come-from-behind win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday evening inside Chesapeake Energy Arena.

OKC has now won four in a row. Here are three takeaways:

Thunder prove they’re comfortable playing from behind

For the third time in seven days, Oklahoma City had to overcome a double-digit deficit to get the win.

Montrezl Harrell made a layup with 5:35 remaining in the second quarter to give the Clippers a 53-35 lead. But Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dennis Schroder combined for the next 10 points to trim LA’s lead down to eight.

According to Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman, Sunday night’s victory was the Thunder’s fourth comeback from 15 points or more. That’s tied for the most in the NBA this year.

 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was spectacular

It’s almost fitting that on the night that Oklahoma City welcomed back Paul George, one of the players that the Thunder received in return for him would steal the show.

Gilgeous-Alexander tied the career-high that he set earlier in the week, scoring 32 points on 12-of-25 shooting from the floor. SGA was perfect from the free-throw line and rounded out his stat sheet with three rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

 

Battle in the paint belonged to OKC

 Oklahoma City outscored the Clippers 60-40 in the paint Sunday.

Two major factors contributed to that. First, Steven Adams had a terrific game for OKC, recording a double-double with 20 points and 17 rebounds. Second, Terrance Ferguson showed why he’s in the starting lineup as a defensive stopper. Ferguson frustrated Paul George into just 6-of-17 shooting that included making just three shots from the field in the second, third, and fourth quarter combined.

The Thunder also outrebounded LAC, 49-42, allowing the Clippers just 10 offensive rebounds on the evening.