Thunder Starters Shine As Oklahoma City Blows Out Visiting Utah Jazz

After notching a big-time overtime win over the Golden State Warriors, the Oklahoma City Thunder once again took to its home court — amidst a looming relocation vote — to face the struggling Utah Jazz. 

After dropping a winnable game to the Rockets, the Thunder's consistency was unnecessarily called into question, but if there was any game to settle all doubt, it was Monday night. Oklahoma City knew that, and it showed that. 

By halftime, the game was leaning in favor of the Thunder, and by the midway point of the third quarter, it was over. Well, all-but officially. 

Oklahoma City dominated Utah on all facets. It shot over 60 percent from deep, over 50 percent from the floor and every starter recorded double-digit points as it put together a 130-124 blowout. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 30 points on the night, notching seven assists and three steals to go along with it, while Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams combined for 31 of their own to put the Thunder out front and keep it there.

From the jump, Oklahoma City set the tone. Josh Giddey, Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander all scratched the scoresheet to give their team an early 8-0 lead, and while the shutout didn't last much longer — Simone Fontecchio knocking down a 3-pointer to kickstart the Jazz's scoring — the momentum certainly did.

By the end of the first quarter, the Thunder built a 14-point lead, which carried over to the second, and by the nine-minute mark of the period, Utah found itself down by 18 points. Keyonte George led the way in scoring for the Jazz as a whole, but despite his best efforts, the Jazz couldn't find its groove. 

The same lead Oklahoma City had at the end of the first was the lead it held at halftime, but the third quarter was where the game broke open.

Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren and rookie Cason Wallace found their groove — combining for 27 points — as the Thunder built its lead to as many as 38 points in the third quarter. At that point, the contest was all-but officially decided. 

The fourth quarter featured little starting minutes and not much movement. An 8-0 run by Utah threatened to give it some life, but a Lindy Waters III 3-pointer silenced that run to effectively seal the deal. Utah came within 16 points, but by that point, the damage had been done, and Oklahoma City secured a 130-124 home victory. 

With the win, the Thunder improves to 15-7 on the season and remains firmly in second place in the West to continue its dominance. Up next for the NBA's second youngest squad is a road trip to Sacramento to face the sixth-seeded Kings. 

Tipoff from Golden 1 Center is set for 9 p.m. CST Thursday. 

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