Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in a career-high 54 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder grinded to a 123-114 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.
Gilgeous-Alexander made 17 of 35 field goals and 17 of 18 free throws to surpass his previous career best of 45 points. He also had eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Jalen Williams added 25 points for the Thunder (36-7), who tied Cleveland for the league's best record.
John Collins had 22 points and 12 rebounds, Collin Sexton had 18 points and nine assists, and Walker Kessler tallied 17 points and 15 boards for the Jazz, who lost their fourth straight.
Western Conference-worst Utah (10-32) hung tough throughout.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points in the first half to help Oklahoma City take a 57-55 lead at the break. He had 18 points in the third quarter as the Thunder took a 95-89 lead.
Gilgeous-Alexander took a break to start the final quarter, and the Thunder led 102-99 when he checked back in. He hit a 3-pointer that gave the Thunder a 115-106 lead and secured his career night.
The Thunder star scored his 50th point on a pullup jumper over Lauri Markkanen with 1:28 to go that gave the Thunder a 119-110 lead.
Sengun's late free throws lift Rockets
Alperen Sengun made two free throws with 4.5 seconds left and Darius Garland missed two of three free throws after that to allow the Houston Rockets to hold on for a 109-108 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Fred VanVleet had 26 points as Houston rallied late after squandering a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter.
A flagrant foul by Tari Eason on a 3-point attempt by Garland gave him three free throws with 2.1 seconds left. But he missed the first two before making the third to cut the lead to a point. The Cavaliers had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but Donovan Mitchell’s 3-point attempt was off.
Mitchell missed a shot with less than 10 seconds to go. Sengun grabbed the rebound and was fouled by Jarrett Allen to set up the winning free throws.
Houston led by 13 with about 11 minutes left before the Cavaliers used a 19-0 run to take a 104-98 lead with four minutes to go.
VanVleet ended a Houston scoring drought of more than seven minutes with a 3 after that and tied it at 104-104 with another 3-pointer on the next possession.
Garland scored 26 points for the Cavaliers, who lost for the third time in six games following 12 consecutive wins.
Surging Kings erase 18-point deficit
DeMar DeRozan scored 32 points, Domantas Sabonis had 26 points and 18 rebounds and the Sacramento Kings overcame an 18-point deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors 123-117.
Malik Monk added 20 points and nine assists and DeAaron Fox had 14 points for Sacramento, which made 30 of 32 free throws. The Kings have won three in a row overall, seven straight at home and are 10-2 under interim coach Doug Christie.
Andrew Wiggins had 25 points and Buddy Hield added 17 points for the Warriors. Steph Curry finished with 14 points and 12 assists.
DeRozan scored 19 points in the third quarter, hitting two free throws to tie it at 85. Behind 113-111, the Kings went on an 8-0 run, completed by a layup by Fox with 1:07 remaining.
Sacramento outscored Golden State 37-20 in the third quarter to tie it at 85.
Wednesday's scores
Phoenix Suns 108, Brooklyn Nets 84
Minnesota Timberwolves 115, Dallas Mavericks 114
Houston Pistons 114, Atlanta Hawks 104
Charlotte Hornets 120, Memphis Grizzlies 132
Utah Jazz 114, Oklahoma City Thunder 123
Cleveland Cavaliers 108, Houston Rockets 109
Golden State Warriors 117, Sacramento Kings 123
Boston Celtics 117, Los Angeles Clippers 113
