Shai Gilgeous-Alexander absolutely lit up the scoreboard for 30 points and nine assists as the OKC Thunder rolled past the Washington Wizards 114-75 on Saturday night at Paycom Center. This team, now sitting pretty at 8-2, isn’t just winning, they’re straight-up dominating, even holding Washington to a miserable 29% shooting in the first half.
New Talent Stepping Up Big
Jared McCain and Aday Mara aren’t just filling roles, they’re taking over. McCain, after struggling a bit in his three games before Friday, has now dropped 40 points in his last two outings. He was on fire against Washington, putting up 19 points on a super-efficient 8-of-10 shooting and grabbing five rebounds. And Mara? He’s been consistently productive, adding 18 points, eight rebounds, and even stretching the floor with a three-pointer to open the fourth quarter, plus three blocks on the defensive end. These guys are giving Shai all the help he could ask for, making sure the Thunder can win even when Jaylin Williams is out, as he was for his third consecutive game with lower back spasms.
Defense Is the Name of the Game for OKC
The Thunder defense was relentless, making the Wizards work for every single shot. They were all over Washington in the first half, disrupting passing lanes and contesting everything, which is why the Wizards shot a pathetic 29% before halftime. Seriously, 29%! Even star guard Trae Young was stifled, managing only four points on 1-of-6 shooting with a turnover in that opening half. Washington’s AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, eventually found his rhythm to finish with a team-high 19 points, six rebounds, and three assists, but it wasn’t nearly enough to make up for that brutal first half on the road.
It wasn’t just the action on the court that had people talking. Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, one of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s biggest basketball influences, showed up courtside in the third quarter with Shai’s father, Vaughn Alexander. The crowd went wild when AI hit the video board, a cool moment connecting generations of hoops stars. The Thunder are now looking ahead, with their next challenge set for Tuesday. They hit the road to visit the Portland Trail Blazers at 10 p.m. CT. Can they keep this incredible momentum rolling?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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