Third-year guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It was not enough, as Los Angeles Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard put up 31 and Paul George added 29 as L.A. handed the Thunder a 120-106 defeat.
Even with that loss, the performance of Gilgeous-Alexander is notable. It’s the second time he has scored 30 against his former team.
Head coach Mark Daigneault complimented him after the game.
“He was good at getting where he wanted,” he said. “He played with great pace as well. They were switching him, which gave him some isolation plays, but it’s not like he stopped the ball. He kind of played in the flow of the team.”
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On defense, though, the Thunder couldn’t consistently get stops, especially in the first half when the Clippers scored 70 over the first two quarters.
Leonard went 10-for-21 in the game and made all 10 free throws he attempted. He also had eight rebounds, three steals and a pair of blocks.
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George went 10-for-19 with three 3-pointers. He was best in the fourth quarter, getting to the line on three occasions and scoring 11 points during that frame.
He added seven rebounds and five assists and had a plus-17 overall in the performance.
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Oklahoma City will get another chance at the Clippers on Sunday.
Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. Central Time.
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