2 weeks Ago By Cliff Brunt The Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Jalen Williams scored 27 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 25 and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Toronto Raptors 121-109 on Friday night in Chet Holmgren’s return from injury. Holmgren, the runner-up for rookie of the year last season, played for the first time in three months after recovering from a pelvic fracture. The 7-foot-1 forward had four points, five rebounds and four blocks in 22 minutes.
Aaron Wiggins added 18 points for the NBA-best Thunder (41-9), who won their fourth straight. Scottie Barnes scored 21 points and Gradey Dick added 17 for the Raptors, who lost their third in a row. Toronto was short-handed.
Scoring leader RJ Barrett was in the concussion protocol. Brandon Ingram, acquired from New Orleans before the trade deadline, was with the team but didn’t play. The Thunder led 58-47 at halftime and maintained control in the third quarter.
Midway through the period, Williams was fouled as he drove for a tough layup in traffic. The ball rolled in, and he flexed his arms and shoulders for the crowd. He made the free throw to give the Thunder a 79-64 lead.
Takeaways Raptors: The Raptors made 20 of 50 shots inside the 3-point line as the Thunder’s front line of Holmgren and the 7-foot Isaiah Hartenstein created problems. Thunder: Oklahoma City didn’t miss a beat with Holmgren back. The Thunder made 51.
2% of their shots and had 26 assists to 12 turnovers. Key moment Holmgren scored his first basket on a layup with 9:43 left in the first quarter. Key stat Gilgeous-Alexander made all 14 of his free-throw attempts.
Up next The Raptors visit Houston on Sunday. The Thunder visit Memphis on Saturday. ___ AP NBA: https://apnews.
com/hub/nba.
