The Oklahoma City Thunder played their first game out of the NBA All-Star Break in Utah against the Jazz in a critical matchup for the NBA Play-in standings. The OKC Thunder dropped this game in Overtime in Salt Lake City as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Lauri Markkenan battled it until the end.
The OKC Thunder and Utah Jazz played until the final buzzer with seven lead changes, six times tied, and neither side growing a lead larger than ten points. The Thunder dominated the second frame, winning it 29-18, before falling by one point in the third and eight points in the fourth to head to overtime.
Eventually, in the additional frame, the Thunder lost, 14-13, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a shot bank in, then out, at the buzzer to result in a 120-119 loss in Salt Lake City, Utah.
In overtime, the OKC Thunder drop a heartbreaker to the Utah Jazz, as the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lauri Markkanen put on a show.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the driving force in for the Oklahoma City Thunder offensively, as few others had it going scoring the ball. SGA finished with 39 points, dishing seven rebounds and hauling in eight rebounds. Defensively, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander swiped two steals and swatted a shot. All while shooting 46 percent from the floor and 15-for-19 at the line.
For the Jazz, it was the Lauri Markkanen show, tallying 43 points, ten rebounds, and two assists, including 10-for-10 at the free throw line. The Jazz forward made 53 percent of his shots from the floor and went 10-for-10 at the charity stripe.
The Thunder lost the battle on the glass, fast break points, and second chance points category. However, OKC did force Utah into 21 turnovers, despite the loss.
This loss places OKC at 28-30, a half-game out of the tenth seed and only a game up on the 13th-worst record in the Western Conference. Everything is still in front of Oklahoma City in both directions, play-in-wise and lottery-wise.
The road does not get any easier. The Thunder will take on the 32-28 Suns on ESPN Friday Night as they look to rebound from this tough loss in Utah.