The Thunder continue their perfect start to the season against the Clippers

After defeat in the final seconds against the Heat the day before Clippers he received Thunderstill undefeated, without Kawhi Leonard in Bradley Beal. Los Angeles, however, can count on an excellent start to the match James Harden (25 points, 4 rebounds, 12 assists), author of the first 12 points of his team including 3+1 on Luguentz there to give the locals ten points in advance (12-2).

On the OKC side, the offense has more difficulty as we have to wait almost five minutes before we see the first basket of the game of the defending champion, through Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists). In the first act, the Thunder shot just 36% despite a long-range arrow fromIsaiah Joe (22 points on 6/10 away) at the buzzer of this first act (33-23).

In the final minute of the second quarter, OKC took its first lead of the game on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s three free throws, but the Clippers still led when they got to the locker room thanks to alley-oop shots between Ivica Zubac etc John Collins (57-56).

OKC wakes up after the break

The second half then begins with an Oklahoma City team that is more industrious and finds skill from distance. Soon the reigning champions took control and the duo Isaiah Joe – Shai Giljus-Alexander allows the Thunder to take an eight-point lead (94-86) before the start of the fourth quarter.

Teammates from Chet Holmgren they continue their good momentum to begin this final act. They hit the head with 7-0 and took the lead with 15 points, which is the biggest gap in the match (101-86). The visitors then count on a signed long shot Aaron Wiggins to overcome a 20-point lead and definitely bury the Clippers.

Oklahoma City won 126-107 for its eighth straight win in as many outings before taking on the Blazers in a back-to-back on Wednesday.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– James Harden is also alone. Without Kawhi Leonard or Bradley Beal, it was obvious that the Clippers offense was going to cough up. However, James Harden got off to a great start with 22 points, including 12 in the first two minutes on 7/14 and 5/8 shooting. Unfortunately, in the second half, he was less visible and the California collective failed to take control despite the good play of John Collins from the bench, the author of 17 points on 5/8 shooting.

– Isaiah Joe and success off the bench. OKC lacked long-range skill early in the season, but since Isaiah Joe returned from injury, the Thunder have found some. An observation that was confirmed during this duel against the Clippers. If the reigning champions were not skilled at the beginning of the match, Isaiah Joe’s entry into the game allowed the reigning champions to regain their skill. The Thunder guard shows up in the first quarter with his first two long shots of the night, then steps out from behind the arc again in the third act and participates in a “run” that spans the third and fourth quarters with two long shots that put the Clippers under water. Finally, he finished the night with 22 points on 7/12 shooting and 6/10 from distance.

– The Thunder are off to the best start in their history. While the Thunder started poorly at the beginning of the match, Mark Deno could count on his team to make up for the 13-point deficit and win. So OKC remains undefeated and claims its eighth straight win to get off to the best start in its history after going 7-0 last season. A start to the campaign that is even more impressive now that we know it Jalen Williams he hasn’t played yet…

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.