Gilgeous-Alexander scores 25 and the Thunder use a 22-0 second-half run
to beat the Bulls 131-113
[March 28, 2026]
By CLIFF BRUNT
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25
points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder used a 22-0 second-half run to
power a 131-113 win over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.
The usually efficient Gilgeous-Alexander made just 8 of 24 shots. His
teammates picked up the slack and helped the Thunder shoot 46.5% from
the field. Gilgeous-Alexander still scored at least 20 points for a
record 134th consecutive game. |
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey, right, speaks with a referee during the
first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder,
Friday, March. 27, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong) |
|
Cason Wallace added 21 points for the Thunder, who were coming
off a loss at Boston that followed a 12-game win streak.
Oklahoma City got back on track, despite All-Star forward Chet
Holmgren sitting out with a bruised right hip.
It was an important win for Oklahoma City, which is trying to
hold off San Antonio for home-court advantage in the playoffs.
The Thunder opened the night two games ahead of the idle Spurs
with nine games to play and San Antonio holding the tiebreaker.
It was Thunder forward Jalen Williams' first home game since
Jan. 13. He had missed most of the past two months with a
bruised right hip. The 2025 All-Star had 18 points, eight
assists and six rebounds.
Collin Sexton scored 22 points, Tre Jones scored 21 and Isaac
Okoro added 20 for the Bulls, who have lost four of five.
Former Thunder guard Josh Giddey, who averaged 17.6 points for
the season, scored just five. He had 11 assists, but made just 1
of 11 shots and had five turnovers.
Sexton scored 16 points in the first half to help Chicago take a
67-62 lead.
Oklahoma City chipped away, and a 3-pointer by Jaylin Williams
put the Thunder up 89-88. The Thunder closed the third quarter
on a 15-0 run and took a 95-88 lead into the fourth.
By the end of Oklahoma City's run, the Thunder led 102-80 and
Chicago had gone nearly seven minutes without scoring.
Up next
Bulls: Visit Memphis on Saturday.
Thunder: Host the New York Knicks on Sunday.
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