Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points (22 in the paint), and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Portland Trail Blazers 128-120.
The Thunder never trailed and led by as many as 16.
The Trail Blazers got within 112-110 on Matisse Thybulle’s 3-pointer with 4:05 to play, but Chet Holmgren answered with a free throw, and the Trail Blazers got no closer.
During clutch time, the Thunder outscored the Trail Blazers 8-4. Late in the fourth quarter, Thybulle had 2 of his 3 steals, both during a 9-0 Trail Blazers run, and the Trail Blazers scored 5 points off them.
Jalen Williams had 31 points (13 in the fourth quarter) and 3 steals, and Holmgren added 21 points and a career-high 14 rebounds on 6 for 9 shooting. The Thunder had 2 30-point scorers.
For the Trail Blazers, Anfernee Simons scored 29 points with 5 3-pointers, and Jerami Grant added 20 points. Thybulle had 16 points and 3 steals off the bench.
The Thunder shot 58.1% from the field to the Trail Blazers’ 50.6%. The Thunder’s starters outscored the Trail Blazers 54-36 in 16 minutes together. Kris Murray and Jabari Walker fouled out.