OKC Thunder Strike Down Short-handed Jazz: Holmgren Leads the Charge (119-107)
The OKC Thunder continued their dominant run in the Western Conference with a convincing 119-107 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. In a matchup featuring a surging young team against a veteran squad missing key players, the Thunder’s youthful energy and balanced attack proved too much to overcome for the Jazz.
Holmgren Shines with Double-Double
Chet Holmgren, the highly touted rookie out of Gonzaga, put on a show for the Oklahoma City crowd. The 7-foot frame of the versatile big man was a mismatch nightmare for the Jazz. Holmgren dominated the paint, finishing with a game-high 35 points on a highly efficient 14-of-20 shooting night. He also grabbed a career-high-tying 14 rebounds, showcasing his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor.
“Chet was phenomenal tonight,” said OKC Thunder coach Mark Daigneault in his post-game press conference. “He established himself inside early, and that opened things up for our perimeter guys. His rebounding was also crucial, especially with the Jazz crashing the boards hard.”
Chet and SGA combine for 66 points to lead the 1st-place @okcthunder to the home W ⛈️⛈️
— NBA (@NBA) March 21, 2024
Chet: 35 PTS (12-18 FGM), 14 REB, 3 BLK
SGA: 31 PTS, 7 AST, 4 STL pic.twitter.com/kW0HdfcSVQ
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Provides Scoring Punch
Holmgren wasn’t alone in his offensive brilliance. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the OKC Thunder’s All-Star guard, chipped in with 31 points, 20 of which came in the crucial second half. Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to create his own shot and attack the rim proved instrumental in breaking down the Jazz defense down the stretch.
Gilgeous-Alexander stated, “We felt we had to pick it up in the second half.” “Because Chet was so strong on the inside, I tried to relieve some of his pressure by playing aggressively on attack. We moved the ball well, found open looks, and were able to close out the game strong.”
Jazz Struggle Without Key Contributors
The Utah Jazz, already battling for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, were dealt a significant blow with the absence of Lauri Markkanen (ankle) and Jordan Clarkson (illness). These two players are Utah’s second and third-leading scorers, respectively. Their absence forced the Jazz to rely heavily on Collin Sexton, who led the team with 25 points. However, the lack of scoring options ultimately hampered Utah’s offensive flow.
“It’s tough to win in this league without your full roster,” said Jazz coach Will Hardy. “JC’s ability to generate offense off the dribble and Lauri’s scoring down low were missed.. We fought hard, but the Thunder played a well-rounded game tonight.”
Stats Tell the Story
Here’s a closer look at the key statistics from the game:
| Stat | Oklahoma City Thunder | Utah Jazz |
|---|---|---|
| Points Scored | 119 | 107 |
| Field Goal % | 48.2% | 43.8% |
| 3-Point % | 39.3% | 34.8% |
| Free Throw % | 82.4% | 78.6% |
| Rebounds | 48 | 42 |
| Assists | 28 | 24 |
| Steals | 8 | 7 |
| Blocks | 5 | 4 |
Fast break points were key to success for OKC Thunder as they scored 35 points compared to Jazz 8 points.
Post-Game Buzz: Players Reflect on the Victory
Following the win, several Thunder players expressed their excitement about the team’s performance. Rookie guard Josh Giddey, who dished out a team-high 8 assists, spoke about the team’s chemistry.
“We’re playing with a lot of confidence right now,” said Giddey. “The ball is moving well, and we’re finding each other for open shots. We have a lot of weapons on this team, and tonight was another example of that.”
Veteran forward Darius Bazley, who added 15 points and 8 rebounds to the winning effort, echoed Giddey’s sentiment.
“This is a fun team to be a part of,” said Bazley. “We’re eager and inexperienced, but we’re learning how to succeed together.” Coach Daigneault has us playing the right way, and we’re excited to see what this team can accomplish this season.”
Looking Ahead
The win over the Jazz extends the Thunder’s winning streak to five games and solidifies their position as a top contender in the Western Conference https://x.com/NBA/status/1770677973999370631?s=20 . They’ll keep dominating the Western Conference with a strong roster and a youthful, gifted core anchored by Holmgren and Gilgeous.
OKC Thunder will face the Toronto Raptors on Friday.
Jazz will play with the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday.
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