Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Clemente Almanza

PHOTOS: Best images from Thunder’s 128-120 win over Trail Blazers

The Oklahoma City Thunder survived the upset in their close 128-120 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. The win marks a clean season series sweep for OKC and extends its win streak over Portland to 12 in a row.

It was a competitive contest throughout the four quarters. The Thunder’s largest lead was just 16 points and the Trail Blazers cut it to a two-point contest in the final frame. Alas, Portland never managed to take the lead throughout the contest.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams combined for 68 points on 55% shooting. Gilgeous-Alexander had 37 points on 23 shots and went 11-of-12 from the free-throw line; Williams scored 31 points on 17 shots — including 13 points in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, the shorthanded Trail Blazers were led by Anfernee Simons, who had 29 points and went 5-of-10 from 3. He was hot in the second half with 23 points as Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe were out.

Let’s look at some of the best photos from the Thunder’s eight-point win over the Trail Blazers.

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots under pressure from Portland Trail Blazers forward Rayan Rupert (72) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Duop Reath (26) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Chet Holmgren (7) dunks the ball against Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Matisse Thybulle (4, right) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Josh Giddey (3) shoots the ball past Portland Trail Blazers center Duop Reath (26) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Gordon Hayward (33) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Dalano Barton (5) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball while defended by Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Matisse Thybulle (4) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Duop Reath (26) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Chet Holmgren (7) dunks the ball during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers dancers perform during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Josh Giddey (3) shoots the ball during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Aaron Wiggins (21) shoots the ball during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Dalano Barton (5) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Josh Giddey (3) shoots the ball during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots under pressure from Portland Trail Blazers forward Rayan Rupert (72, behind) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers forward Rayan Rupert (72) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Gordon Hayward (33) shoots the ball over Portland Trail Blazers guard Dalano Barton (5) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers small forward Jerami Grant (9) shoots the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Anfernee Simons (1, behind) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is fouled by Portland Trail Blazers center Duop Reath (26) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is fouled by Portland Trail Blazers center Duop Reath (26) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Anfernee Simons (1) drives to the basket past Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Gordon Hayward (33, left) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Matisse Thybulle (4) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Aaron Wiggins (21) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Chet Holmgren (7) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Duop Reath (26) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; NBA referee Ashley Moyer-Gleich (13) during the second quarter between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault watches from the sideline during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Rayan Rupert (72) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Chet Holmgren (7) comes down with a rebound during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; b72 shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Jabari Walker (34) shoots the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Gordon Hayward (33, right) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (8) is fouled while shooting by Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Josh Giddey (3, left) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Duop Reath (26) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers small forward Jerami Grant (9) looks to pass while defended by Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Josh Giddey (3) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Anfernee Simons (1) shoots under pressure from Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball over Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Anfernee Simons (1) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Anfernee Simons (1) dribbles the ball while defended by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups watches from the sideline during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Chet Holmgren (7) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Duop Reath (26, left) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Bismack Biyombo (15) warms up prior to a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) walks to the court before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Gordon Hayward (33) walks to the court before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Josh Giddey (3) warms up prior to a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder assistant coach Chip Engelland looks on before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.