Josh Giddey had a great game with 20 points, 13 assists, and 13 rebounds, marking his 11th career triple-double. Isaiah Joe made two crucial 3-pointers in the final 1:30 as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Charlotte Hornets 121-118 on Sunday night, ending a three-game losing streak.
Despite missing key players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams due to injuries, the Thunder managed to secure a win. Aaron Wiggins scored 26 points, while Chet Holmgren contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds. The game came down to the wire, with the Hornets missing a game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer.
The Thunder, currently third in the Western Conference, have been on the road for eight of their last ten games, finishing with a 5-5 record during that stretch. They have four games remaining in the regular season, all of which are at home.
Thunder coach Mark Diagneault sees the absence of Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams as an opportunity for other players to gain confidence and step up. He hopes this will benefit the team as they head into the postseason.
Grant Williams led the Hornets with 19 points, and Vasa Micic had 17 points and 10 assists. Micic, Tre Mann, and Davis Bertans, former Thunder players traded to the Hornets, played well, nearly causing a disappointing loss for Oklahoma City. Despite Charlotte briefly taking the lead in the fourth quarter, the Thunder managed to hold on for the win.
