Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points (22 in the paint), and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Sacramento Kings 107-101 for their fifth straight win.
Luguentz Dort’s 3-pointer put the Thunder ahead for good with 2:33 left in the fourth quarter.
The Kings got within 101-99 on Zach LaVine’s 2 free throws with 1:18 to play. They had the ball down 2 with 1:00 left, but Isaiah Hartenstein stole the ball from Domantas Sabonis, lifting the Thunder’s chance to win from 73% to 82%. A basket would have tied the game. Alex Caruso followed with a 3-pointer, and the Kings got no closer than 104-101.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s step-back 3-pointer with 16.0 seconds left made it 107-101 and put it away.
During clutch time, the Thunder outscored the Kings 15-4. Gilgeous-Alexander (Clutch Player of the Year, 2025-26) scored 5 of the Thunder’s 15 on 2 for 4 shooting.
For the Kings, LaVine scored 23 points. Russell Westbrook had 16 points (12 on 4 3-pointers) and 9 rebounds.
The Thunder shot 45.7% from the field to the Kings’ 42.4%.