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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 40 points helps Oklahoma City Thunder to beat Sacramento Kings

On Tuesday night Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returned from injury and scored 40 points that helped Oklahoma City Thunder to make a comeback from 20 points gap as they went on to defeat Sacramento Kings by 112-105. 

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Varun Sarwate
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On Tuesday night Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returned from injury and scored 40 points that helped Oklahoma City Thunder to make a comeback from 20 points gap as they went on to defeat Sacramento Kings by 112-105. Gilgeous-Alexander had missed six of the squad's previous seven games due to a damaged right thigh, and the team finished 2-4 without him. He gave Oklahoma City a much-needed lift against the Kings, scoring the last six points to secure a crucial victory.

According to AP News, “Just a few emotions,” he said. “Felt good to be back. I haven’t played in front of the home crowd in a minute.”

With four games remaining, the Thunder trailed the Minnesota Timberwolves by one game for the best Western Conference record.

De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 33 points, while Keon Ellis had a career-high 26. Sacramento led 64-45 at halftime, with Fox scoring 21 points and Ellis scoring 20, both career highs in just two quarters. Before the halftime, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 14 points for the Thunder.  Gilgeous-Alexander made a 3-pointer to start the second half. He scored 17 points in the third quarter, as the Oklahoma City Thunder took the lead against Sacramento Kings 39-23.

Earlier in the fourth quarter Cason Wallace gave the Oklahoma City Thunder the lead as he scored a three-pointer that gave the lead to 89-87.

First half our ball movement was beautiful - Mike Brown

The game was also critical for the Kings. They started the night ranked eighth in the Western Conference, with a chance to escape the Play-In Tournament.

Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown said that his players drifted from what worked in the first half. He claimed the Kings stopped shooting open shots and played too much individual basketball. 

As per AP News, “I thought in the first half our ball movement was beautiful,” he said. “And I thought we got bored with it in the second half.”

Sacramento Kings will play their next match on Thursday against New Orleans Pelicans while Oklahoma City will take on San Antonio Spurs.

NBA Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Oklahoma City Thunder Sacramento Kings
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