NBA: Chet Holmgren scores 35 as Thunder beat Jazz

NBA: Chet Holmgren scores 35 as Thunder beat Jazz

OKLAHOMA CITY — Chet Holmgren scored 35 points and tied a career high with 14 rebounds and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the short-handed Utah Jazz 119-107 in the NBA on Wednesday night.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 of his 31 points in the second half for the Thunder, who have the best record in the Western Conference at 48-20.

Alexander became the 13th player in NBA history to score 30 points or more in 50 games.

READ: NBA: Thunder defeat Grizzlies for share of West lead

“Credit Utah, they really competed tonight,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “I thought they were the more physical team after the first six minutes of the game, and that really tested us.”

Collin Sexton had 25 points for Utah, which played without injured players Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson — two of the team’s top three scorers.

“I thought we played 42 good minutes tonight,” said Utah coach Will Hardy, whose team has lost three straight and 14 of its last 17 to fall to 29-40. “I was really proud of the team’s effort, competitiveness. I thought the first half was probably as good a half of basketball as we’ve played in a while, which shows some growth and maturity from the team. Turnovers hurt us tonight, for sure.”

Utah committed 15 turnovers that resulted in 19 points for Oklahoma City. The Thunder also scored 35 points on second-chance opportunities compared to eight points for the Jazz.

READ: NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren lead Thunder past Warriors

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