Shai Gilgeous-Alexander slams the door on whispers of slump

After a blowout loss to the Nuggets on Sunday, the Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back with a blowout win over the Pistons. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returned to form after a sluggish matinee.

The Thunder beat the Detroit Pistons 124-112 on the second night of a back-to-back. After a miserable outing last game, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went at the Pistons’ defense all night to finish with 32 points.

OKC Thunder bounces back with a big win against the Pistons as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets back on track.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a much-needed bounce-back game, as he scored more in the first quarter than he did in the entire game against the Nuggets.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished 11-of-23 from the field and added nine rebounds and three steals.

Chet Holmgren’s versatility was featured against Detroit. He finished with 14 points, four blocks, and shot 4-of-5 from 3-point range.

However, Holmgren struggled against the Pistons’ size, particularly on the glass. The rookie brought down only four rebounds, but the Thunder still managed to outrebound the Pistons.

Two-way big man Olivier Sarr had a solid outing again off the bench. Sarr played 21 minutes, had nine rebounds, plus an impressive block on a Cade Cunningham layup attempt.

Oklahoma City slowed down Detroit’s star point guard, but a couple of other young guys tried to make up for it.

Jaden Ivey was the Pistons’ leading scorer with 20, and Ausar Thompson looked like a rising star. Thompson had a double-double with 15 points and ten rebounds with three blocks.

After Josh Giddey’s increased aggressiveness was a focal point in international play this offseason, he got to the free-throw line for the first time this season. He hit three of his five free throw attempts and still finished with 21 points after a rough first half.

Jalen Williams also had a good all-around night. The second-year wing finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Holmgren had another hot start as he nailed all three of his 3-point attempts in the first quarter. That was a theme for the Thunder after a bad shooting night against the Denver Nuggets.

Oklahoma City shot 7-of-17 from beyond the arc in the first half on its way to a 12-point lead. Oklahoma City finished the night shooting 44% from outside, a vast improvement from the performance against Denver on Sunday.

On Wednesday, the Thunder continues the homestand in their first matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans.