Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered another masterclass with 37 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder powered past the Portland Trail Blazers 122-95, avenging their only defeat of the season.
The Thunder, now an NBA-best 17-1, stretched their winning streak to nine games and maintained a perfect 7-0 home record.
Gilgeous-Alexander was ruthless, shooting 13-of-18 from the field and sinking all nine of his free throws while adding seven assists, five rebounds and two steals.
Ajay Mitchell added a flawless 20 points off the bench, praising SGA as “a killer” after another dominant outing.
Only four teams in the past 30 years have matched the Thunder’s 17-1 start, placing the defending champions in elite company.
Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Lakers edged the Utah Jazz 108-106, led by 33 points from Luka Doncic. LeBron James, playing his first road game of the season after a sciatica layoff, finished with 17 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
In Phoenix, Dillon Brooks and Devin Booker guided the Phoenix Suns to a 111-102 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Donovan Mitchell powered the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 120-105 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers with a 37-point performance.
Jaylen Brown’s 35 points helped the Boston Celtics defeat the Orlando Magic 138-129, while the Atlanta Hawks held off the Charlotte Hornets 113-110.
The Toronto Raptors made it seven straight wins by beating the Brooklyn Nets 119-109.
The Miami Heat extended their streak to four with a 127-117 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant will miss the Houston Rockets’ next two road games for family reasons, and Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon is set to be sidelined for four to six weeks with a hamstring strain.
