Gilgeous-Alexander scores 31 points as Thunder beat Bulls 124-104 in season opener

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CHICAGO (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Chicago Bulls 124-104 in the season opener Wednesday night.

With a promising young core, the Thunder have their sights set on the playoffs after getting knocked out in the play-in tournament last season. They’re off to a good start.

Fourth in the NBA in scoring last season, Gilgeous-Alexander keyed a 12-0 run late in the third quarter that broke open a one-point game. Josh Giddey and Rookie of the Year runner-up Jalen Williams each scored 16 for Oklahoma City.


Oklahoma City Thunder's Jalen Williams and Chicago Bulls' Torey Craig (13) watch the ball get away during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Jalen Williams and Chicago Bulls’ Torey Craig (13) watch the ball get away during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chet Holmgren had 11 points in his long-awaited NBA debut. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 draft missed last season because of a foot injury.

Isaiah Joe led a strong effort by the bench with 14 points, and Oklahoma City’s reserves outscored Chicago’s 42-34.

DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 20 points.

Zach LaVine scored all of his 16 points in the second half. He was 0 for 5 with four turnovers and three fouls through the first two quarters.

Coby White scored 15, and Nikola Vucevic added 11 points and nine rebounds.

Gilgeous-Alexander had seven points in a 12-0 run late in the third quarter. He finished it with a reverse layup to make it 91-78. Cason Wallace nailed a pull-up jumper and a 3-pointer during the spurt.

It was 91-84 early in the fourth before the Thunder reeled off 11 straight points. Joe made back-to-back 3s and — after Wallace connected from beyond the arc — scored on a layup to make it 102-84 with about 10 minutes remaining.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 and Williams added 14 points as Oklahoma City grabbed a 61-55 halftime lead.

The Thunder led 50-49 late in the second quarter when the Bulls’ Torrey Craig hit the side of the backboard on a wide-open corner 3. Giddey made a layup and a 3, and after a free throw by White, Holmgren nailed a 3 to make it an eight-point game with about a minute left in the half.

The Bulls’ Andre Drummond had a poster-worthy dunk over Holmgren in the second quarter and made him go down to his knees moments later with a wicked crossover on a fast-break layup.

UP NEXT

Thunder: Visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.

Bulls: Host the Toronto Raptors on Friday.

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