One of the most-talked about trades in the league happened in 2019, when the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, along with seven draft picks that will last all the way until 2026.
Fast forward to 2024, and the Clippers now have a sizable number of stars in Paul George, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Russell Westbrook. They're running third in the Eastern Conference.
OKC? It's SGA's team now, powered by a young core of Chet Holmgren, Josh Giddey, and Jalen Williams. They're the second seed of the East.
And on Friday, Philippine time, George, Harden, and Westbrook didn't quite have the happy homecoming they expected.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had an all-out performance against his former team, recording 31 points, four rebounds, seven assists, a steal, and two blocks to lead the Thunder, 129-107.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander against the #3 Clippers
— TF (@ThunderFocus) February 23, 2024
31 points
8 assists
4 rebounds
1 steal
1 block
12-19 FGA
3-6 3PA
+18
MVP performance against one of the best in the west. pic.twitter.com/Lc90WvGzTE
The MVP candidate also had great support while racking up points.The Thunder get a statement win as they defeat the Clippers at home ?
— Thunder Nation (@ThunderNationCP) February 23, 2024
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 31 PTS, 8 AST, 12-of-19 FG
Chet Holmgren: 17 PTS, 10 REB, 3 BLK, 6-of-12 FG#ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/o7uRhm58US
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander crosses up Paul George in transition for the bucket 🫣pic.twitter.com/pYWaTdKTlC
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 23, 2024
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had Norman Powell LOST 🗺?pic.twitter.com/54RfflWve8
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 23, 2024
Lugen Dortz was also efficient in the matchup as he finished with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Chet Holmgren helped Thunder with 17 points, 10 boards, and three blocks. Jalen Williams had 18, while Josh Giddey tallied 12.
In his debut for the Thunder, Gordon Hayward finished with missed two buckets and made four rebounds, but he contributed to the defense at the last stretch.
Kawhi Leonard paced the Clippers with 20 points. Former OKC players James Harden and Paul George supplied L.A. with 17 and 14 points respectively. Ivica Zubac had 13 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
The Clippers were able to pull away with a 23-16 lead in the first quarter but Thunder clawed their way back to gain the 35-33 lead to end the first 12 minutes of play.
OKC gained momentum after halftime, taking advantage of LA's lackluster performance in the third quarter. This set them up for a blowout in the last frame.
JDub and the other Thunder players drained buckets outscoring Clippers' Big 3 and sealing the statement win.
The Thunder are now at 38-17, just a win away from the East's top seeded Timberwolves. Meanwhile, the Clippers slide to 36-18 as third in a tight conference.
