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The Oklahoma City Thunder were playing without reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but still defeated the Chicago Bulls 116-108 on Tuesday (March 3) at the United Center in Chicago, improving to 48-15 and extending their lead atop the Western Conference.
Gilgeous-Alexander was held out to manage an abdominal strain that had already sidelined him for most of last month. It didn't matter — the defending NBA champions won for the sixth time in seven games.
Jared McCain led the way with 20 points, knocking down four 3-pointers. Isaiah Joe added 19 points, while Aaron Wiggins chipped in 18. Jaylin Williams delivered a dominant double-double with 17 points and 16 rebounds, and Cason Wallace contributed 17 points. Chet Holmgren rounded out Oklahoma City's balanced attack with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The turning point came early in the third quarter. As reported by ESPN, the Thunder trailed 60-59 when Holmgren threw down a dunk to ignite a 14-3 run. Oklahoma City then outscored Chicago 8-2 over the final three minutes of the period, capped by a McCain 3-pointer, to take an 87-76 lead into the fourth quarter.
For Chicago, Collin Sexton scored 20 points, including a late 3-pointer that trimmed the deficit to 112-106, but it wasn't enough. Guerschon Yabusele, acquired in a trade-deadline deal with New York, posted a season-high 18 points and 12 rebounds — his third double-double in 11 games. The 6-foot-8 Frenchman also connected on four 3-pointers. Josh Giddey narrowly missed his ninth triple-double with 14 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Matas Buzelis left the game late in the third quarter after rolling his right ankle and did not return.
The Bulls dropped back into a losing pattern after snapping an 11-game skid with a lopsided win over Milwaukee on Sunday (March 1).
ESPN Analytics noted that Oklahoma City led for 87% of the game, with a largest lead of 19 points, while committing just nine turnovers compared to Chicago's 19.
Up next, the Thunder head to New York to face the Knicks on Wednesday (March 4). The Bulls travel to Phoenix to take on the Suns on Thursday (March 5).