Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a star player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, returns to the city where his NBA career began this week with a chance to disrupt his former team.
With a lot at stake, Gilgeous-Alexander takes the Thunder to Los Angeles to face the Clippers. Tuesday marks the start of back-to-back games, with another one on Thursday at Los Angeles.
After winning seven of its last nine games in a spurt that has the team thinking big, Oklahoma City is making a late-season push up the standings. The Thunder (35-36) were in eighth place in the Western Conference at the start of NBA play on Monday, making them eligible for the play-in tournament.
The Thunder are just two and a half games behind Los Angeles in the standings and are just one game behind the Dallas Mavericks, who are in sixth place. The Clippers (38-34) are currently in fifth place and have secured a spot in the first round.
Oklahoma City is demonstrating that the moment is not too great after missing the playoffs the previous two seasons.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who was acquired by the Thunder from the Clippers in July 2019, scored 40 points on Sunday as Oklahoma City rallied to defeat the Phoenix Suns, 124-120. Before changing the game, the Thunder fell behind by as many as 15 points and 12 at halftime.
Now comes a pair of games that have a personal connection to Gilgeous-Alexander as well as significance in the race for the playoffs.
Paul George was acquired by the Clippers as a result of the 2019 trade that changed each franchise. Los Angeles overcame a surprise defeat to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 117-102 on the road on Sunday thanks to George’s 29 points and nine rebounds.
Due to foul trouble, George only played 15 minutes in the first half, but he scored 19 points in 19 minutes of the second half.
The Clippers’ four-game winning streak was ended on Saturday when they were defeated by the Orlando Magic by a score of 113-108 at home. Sunday, Los Angeles’ Kawhi Leonard scored an additional 24 points.
Trimmers lead trainer Tyronn Lue stayed in Los Angeles with a non-Coronavirus sickness. Since March 2, Norman Powell (shoulder) has not played.
To tie the season series, the Clippers must win both games against the Thunder this week. In October, the teams also played back-to-back games in Oklahoma City, with the Thunder winning by scores of 108-94 and 118-110. In those victories, Gilgeous and Alexander scored 57 points together.
