Thunder beat Jazz 133-106 and advance to the NBA Cup quarterfinals

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Jalen Williams scored 28 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 26 points, seven assists and six rebounds, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Utah Jazz 133-106 on Tuesday night en route to the NBA Cup quarterfinals.

Isaiah Joe had 19 points and fellow reserve Aaron Wiggins finished with 16 as the Thunder closed out West Group B play at 3-1. They won the group when Phoenix beat San Antonio 104-93 later Tuesday.

Alexander, selected as Western Conference player of the month earlier Tuesday, scored 15 points after halftime. Oklahoma City twice led by as many as 30 points in the second half.

Isaiah Hartenstein had four points and five rebounds, his first game without at least 10 points and 10 boards in six games since returning from a fractured hand.

Collin Sexton scored 17 points while Walker Kessler and John Collins added 15 apiece for the Jazz, who fell to 4-17.

Thunder beat Jazz 133-106 and advance to the NBA Cup quarterfinals | iNFOnews.ca
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) screams as he dunks against Utah Jazz guard Johnny Juzang (33) during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Key moment

Utah led 19-10 on a three-point play by Sexton, but the Thunder scored 22 of the next 28 to make it 32-25 after one quarter. Joe had eight points off the bench to spark the run, including two 3-pointers and a soaring left-handed dunk.

Key stat

Utah committed 29 turnovers, including 19 in the first half, compared to eight for Oklahoma City.

Up next

Thunder beat Jazz 133-106 and advance to the NBA Cup quarterfinals | iNFOnews.ca
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots against Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

The Jazz are at Portland on Friday, while the Thunder visit Toronto on Thursday.

Thunder beat Jazz 133-106 and advance to the NBA Cup quarterfinals | iNFOnews.ca
Utah Jazz forward John Collins, right, drives in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Thunder beat Jazz 133-106 and advance to the NBA Cup quarterfinals | iNFOnews.ca
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, left, dribbles as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams, right, defends during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

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