OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 31 points, the defending-champion Thunder erupted for a 33-4 surge, and Oklahoma City turned an 18-point hole into a 144-112 demolition of the Utah Jazz on Friday night in NBA Cup play, moving to 16-1 and stretching their win streak to eight.
The 32-point final margin marked the biggest victory ever by a team that once trailed by 15+ in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98). It was also OKC’s second 19-point comeback of the season (after Memphis on Nov. 9) and kept them perfect at 5-0 when falling behind by double digits—still the only team in the league yet to lose one of those games.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who was ice-cold from deep early in the year (under 27% through seven games), has been scorching since, hitting 50% of his triples over the last stretch and going a perfect 3-for-3 against Utah while shooting 9-of-14 overall and 10-of-12 at the stripe.
With 30+ points in 14 of his first 17 games, SGA now owns the most 30-point outings through a team’s first 17 contests since Michael Jordan in 1986-87.
Isaiah Joe chipped in 16, Jaylin Williams drained five triples for a season-high 15, and the Thunder—now 2-0 in Cup play—torched the nets at 61.4% from the floor and a season-best 62.2% (23-of-37) from three.
Keyonte George led Utah with 20 points and Lauri Markkanen added 19, but the Jazz fell to 5-10 overall and 0-3 in tournament games.
Oklahoma City harassed Utah into 28 turnovers and converted them into 44 points, wrecking sets and leaving Jazz players visibly rattled.
Trailing 84-77 late in the third, the Thunder closed the period on a ridiculous 33-4 tear—including 22 unanswered—to seize control. They forced nine Jazz giveaways with suffocating pressure and rained 9-of //13 from deep. Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 12 in the quarter alone as OKC outscored Utah 43-20 in the frame.
The Jazz had hung 44 points in the first quarter—the most any opponent has scored in any period against the Thunder this season—building a 44-30 lead. That 14-point deficit after one quarter tied the largest ever overcome by a team that eventually won by 30+ in NBA history.
Utah controlled the entire first half but saw the gap shrink to 68-67 at the break. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault picked up a technical while barking about a no-call as time expired in the second.
