OKLAHOMA CITY — — Norman Powell scored 20+ points for the 10th straight game though it wasn’t enough as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores a career-high 45 points to stave off a comeback from the Clippers as the Thunder win 134-128 on Monday night.
Powell scored 31 points, but he fouled out with the Clippers down four with 1:32 remaining left in the game.
Ivica Zubac had 22 points and 14 rebounds and Derrick Jones Jr. added 20 points for Los Angeles. James Harden had a near triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, but he shot just 5 of 15 from the field with 5 turnovers and had five fouls.
The Clippers trailed by as much as 20 points in the game until a late surge at the end of the third quarter. Powell’s fadeaway corner 3 at the end of the third trimmed Oklahoma City’s lead to 99-94, and the game was close throughout the final period.
One of the team’s glaring issues throughout the season so far hurt the Los Angeles in this game: turnovers. Los Angeles was careless with the ball and it led to 24 turnovers which Oklahoma City was able to turn into 32 points.
This loss gave the Clippers their first loss on the road this season and ended their four-game winning streak.
The Clippers will look to bounce back with Wednesday night’s matchup in Houston against the Rockets.
