Thunder Dominate 76ers in a 133-100 Blowout Despite Key Absences
In a stunning display of teamwork and skill, the Oklahoma City Thunder took down the Philadelphia 76ers 133-100 on Wednesday night, with Jaylin Williams leading the charge. Williams notched a career-high 19 points, along with 17 rebounds and 11 assists, marking his second career triple-double. This impressive performance came despite the absence of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA's top scorer, who sat out for rest, along with three other starters due to injuries.
Aaron Wiggins stepped up for the Thunder, contributing 26 points, while Isaiah Joe and Chet Holmgren added 21 and 19 points, respectively. Oklahoma City, currently leading the Western Conference, clinched the Northwest Division title and is inching closer to securing the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
The Thunder dominated the game, leading 70-56 at halftime and extending their advantage to 103-74 by the end of the third quarter. The 76ers, on the other hand, were missing key players, including Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., Joel Embiid, and Paul George, with Embiid and George out for the remainder of the season.
Quentin Grimes was a bright spot for Philadelphia, scoring 28 points, while Justin Edwards added 19. Despite a competitive first half, Coach Nick Nurse's makeshift lineup struggled to keep pace with Oklahoma City's depth after halftime.
Both teams combined for a staggering 109 three-point attempts, with Philadelphia setting a franchise record with 57 attempts. However, the shooting percentages told a different story: Oklahoma City made 24 of 56 (46.2%), while the 76ers managed only 18 of 57 (31.6%).
As the game progressed, the Thunder went on a 33-14 run, pushing their lead to a whopping 29 points by the end of the third quarter. With seven players scoring in double figures, including Branden Carlson (16), Kenrich Williams (13), and Dillon Jones (11), the Thunder showcased their depth and versatility.
Looking ahead, the 76ers will visit San Antonio on Friday, while the Thunder will host Charlotte on the same day, both teams eager to build on their current momentum.
