Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder cruise past Dallas Mavericks without Cooper Flagg
· Yahoo Sports
DALLAS — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sat out the entire overtime period of OKC's win over Denver on Friday.
The superstar guard was limited to 34 regulation minutes in what marked his first game back from a nine-game absence due to an abdominal strain.
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But as the final minutes of OKC's 100-87 home win over Dallas unfolded on Sunday, Gilgeous-Alexander didn't watch the blowout from the bench. He had some time spare.
Gilgeous-Alexander checked back into the game as his team held an 18-point lead with 7:15 remaining, and he didn't check out until there were only 47.7 seconds on the clock. He delivered the finishing touches and ended the night with 30 points, five assists and four steals in 33 minutes.
SGA broke Wilt Chamberlain's NBA record scoring more than 20 points for the 59th straight road game.
Here are three takeaways from the win:
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Chet Holmgren was a frustrating force of nature
Dwight Powell bounced right back up after being dropped by Chet Holmgren, who blew past him on the perimeter and finished a layup midway through the first quarter.
The veteran big man was clearly fine, although his ego appeared to be bruised. And when Holmgren sank an 18-footer over him on OKC's next possession, adding insult to the internal injury, Powell voiced his frustration to the officials while jogging up the floor. He quickly received a technical foul.
Holmgren gave Dallas' entire team fits. From finishing at the rim to extending his range to crashing the glass to showing off his mobility, the 7-foot-1 forward caused problems on both ends.
Holmgren stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 28 minutes. He went 8 for 14 from the field (1 for 5 from deep).
Jared McCain stays ready
Jared McCain didn't stay seated as a timeout unfolded late in the first quarter.
The sophomore guard was shuffling his feet from side to side underneath the rim. And when he checked into the game to start the second quarter, he wasn't just warm. He was red hot.
McCain erupted for nine points in his first 10 minutes of action, and he did damage from all three levels. He got downhill for layups, cashed in from the mid range and also spaced the floor with his 3-point shooting.
McCain ultimately ended the night with 11 points and one assist in 22 minutes off the bench. It was yet another impressive performance by a player who has already acclimated himself since being traded from Philadelphia to OKC at the deadline.
That's easier said than done when joining a championship team, especially at only 22 years old.
Isaiah Joe woke OKC up from deep
As it entered the fourth quarter, OKC needed to wake up from behind the arc. It had only gone 6 for 29 (20.7%) in that department, and no player had multiple makes.
But that's when it got a cup of Joe.
Isaiah Joe checked into the game and immediately provided a shot of adrenaline, sinking two 3-pointers in the first two minutes and change. The first came off the catch, as he curled around a screen by Isaiah Hartenstein before drilling a 26-footer. And the second came off the dribble, as he lost his defender with a stepback before connecting on a 25-footer.
Joe is arguably on the best shooting streak of his sixth-year career. He shot 50% from deep on 7.2 attempts per game in the month of February.
Joe then began March by posting 14 points and five rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench against Dallas. He went 5 for 9 from the field (3 for 7 from deep).
Tip-ins
∎ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 20 points in 123 consecutive games. That ranks second in NBA history, only trailing Wilt Chamberlain (126 games).
∎ Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 20 points in 59 consecutive road games. That's the longest streak in NBA history.
∎ OKC was without Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain and left ankle sprain), Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) and Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain).
∎ Dallas was without Marvin Bagley III (neck sprain), Cooper Flagg (left midfoot sprain), Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), Miles Kelly (not with the team), Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), Naji Marshall (right finger contusion) and P.J. Washington (left ankle sprain).
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder cruise past Dallas Mavericks