Sports
Holmgren’s 17 rebounds help Oklahoma City pull away from Denver, 96-84
Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 21 points, while Chet Holmgren grabbed 17 rebounds in Oklahoma City’s home-opening win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 despite missing his first seven shots.
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Thunder rallied past the Denver Nuggets, 96-84, on Thursday night, relying on Jalen Williams’ 21 points and Chet Holmgren’s 17 rebounds to secure a win in their home opener despite a difficult shooting night from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 17 points on 6-for-19 shooting. He missed all seven of his attempts in the first half, when Oklahoma City fell behind by as many as nine, and made two free throws to avoid being held scoreless before halftime.
The two-time reigning NBA MVP opened the third quarter with a basket to bring the Thunder within 48-46. His first-half field-goal drought was only the fourth time in 450 games with Oklahoma City that he had gone without a field goal in a half. It also ended a run of 141 games in which he had scored at least 20 points.
Oklahoma City took its first lead since the opening minutes when a layup by Mitchell put the Thunder ahead 64-62. Alex Caruso and Alexander then hit 3-pointers to make it 70-64 entering the fourth quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander’s 3-pointer with 1:44 remaining extended the lead to 93-76; he left during the ensuing timeout and did not return.
Holmgren added 12 points for the Thunder. Aaron Gordon led Denver with 20, while Nikola Jokic and DeMar DeRozan each scored 13. The game was the Nuggets’ season opener.
The Thunder, who beat San Antonio on Tuesday behind Gilgeous-Alexander’s 32 points, host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. Denver hosts New Orleans on Saturday.