INGLEWOOD, CA – Intuit Dome, in typical California fashion, was as over-the-top as could be before tipoff on Tuesday.
Fireworks popped off during the National Anthem. Flames erupted from the stanchion during the starting lineup introduction. And smoke shot out of the $100-million “Halo Board” to cloud up the rafters, only to be pierced by a laser light show.
But by the end of the game, the flashiest venue in all of basketball grew stale. Even the spirit of those inside The Wall had been broken by a barrage of Thunder buckets.
The only spectacle remaining was the celebration of OKC’s players, who improved to 8-0 with a 126-107 win over the Clippers. The Thunder has now set a franchise record for the most wins to start a season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 30 points and 12 assists in only 29 minutes. It marked his first double-double performance of the season.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
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James Harden is a tough cover
Cason Wallace has developed a reputation for having some of the best hands in the NBA. And he reminds everyone that after a steal and a transition bucket by flashing his palms in a celebration that mimics the Allstate logo.
But Wallace was tasked with covering what’s known as a high-risk client on Tuesday.
That would be James Harden, who went from 0 to 60 miles per hour in an instant to start the contest. He racked up 17 points during the first quarter on 5-for-8 shooting from the field (4 for 5 from deep), and he continued to torch the Thunder after that.
When Harden gathered a pass behind the arc midway through the second quarter, Wallace waved his havoc-causing hands in the air with hopes of deterring the lethal bucket getter. But Harden still launched a deep bomb over them and watched it find the bottom of the net.
On a night when scoring came at a premium for Los Angeles, which was without Kawhi Leonard (right ankle sprain) and Bradley Beal (right knee injury management), Harden finished with 25 points and six assists in 30 minutes.
Thunder stormed back in the second quarter by forcing turnovers
Wallace isn’t the only Thunder player with good hands.
Ajay Mitchell also showcased his medaling mitts late in the second quarter when Kris Dunn waited for John Collins to cut to the rim. But before that happened, he felt the ball get poked away.
The culprit was Mitchell. He forced a loose ball that was collected by Isaiah Joe, who ultimately capped off the play on the other end by sinking a 3-pointer.
Despite ranking 29th in the NBA in turnovers per game (17.8), Los Angeles didn’t commit any turnovers in the first quarter. That helped it claim a 33-23 lead, and OKC even trailed by a season-high 13 points during that stretch.
But the Thunder stormed back in the second quarter by forcing eight turnovers, which it converted into 15 points. That helped it cut the deficit to 57-56 at halftime.
OKC finished the night with 19 forced turnovers. It converted those miscues into 34 points.
Isaiah Joe provided a shot of adrenaline
On a night that marked a late game for the Thunder, it needed a cup of Joe to wake up.
OKC received a shot of adrenaline off the bench from Joe, who erupted for 22 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the field (6 for 10 from deep). It was another strong showing from the sharpshooting guard, who has made up for lost time after missing the first five games due to a left knee contusion.
Joe is shooting 14 for 29 from distance (48.3%) this season. His 14 made 3-pointers marks the most by any Thunder player in franchise history throughout the first three games of a season. That record was previously set by Kevin Martin (12) in 2012-13.
Tip-ins
- Gilgeous-Alexander now has sole possession of third place for the longest streak of 20-point performances in the regular season (80) throughout NBA history. He was tied with Oscar Robertson. Gilgeous-Alexander only trails Wilt Chamberlain, who had two streaks of 126 games and 92 games.
- Chet Holmgren made his return after missing the last three games due to a lower back sprain. He finished with 11 points, five rebounds and three blocks.
- Lu Dort suffered a right shoulder contusion midway through the second quarter. And after briefly returning during the third quarter, he checked out of the game and did not return.
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jm*******@*******an.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
Thunder at Trail Blazers
TIPOFF: 9 p.m. Wednesday at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder roars past Clippers, sets OKC record with 8-0 start to season
