OKC Thunder Outlast Motivated Hornets to Snap Three-Game Skid

The Oklahoma City Thunder were able to outlast a motivated Hornets squad to snap a three-game skid ahead of their final homestand.

Apr 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) shoots / Scott Kinser-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder (53-25) battled the Charlotte Hornets (19-59) on Sunday in a game where the Thunder were desperate to snap a three-game skid while the Hornets are just playing out the home stretch of yet another subpar regular season.

The Thunder had their offense working early and often while suffering from a few defensive lapses throughout the game. The quartet of former Thunder players made their presence felt in this one as they tried for a revenge win over their former team.

As each team exchanged runs, it was obvious this game would go down to the wire. After the Thunder blew a ten-point second-half lead, the Hornets grabbed their first advantage of the night with five minutes to go in the final frame.

Josh Giddey made a game-changing play late in the fourth quarter to crash the glass off an Isaiah Joe miss, pop a rebound free and kick it to Aaron Wiggins for a triple to make it a one-point game before dishing to Joe a play later to re-grab the lead.

After the Hornets answered, it was again Joe who came through with a triple to ice this game for the Oklahoma City Thunder and snap a three-game slide before opening up a four-game home stand to end the regular season on Tuesday.

Aleksej Pokusevski went off for a season-high 14 points, nine rebounds and a block while Vasilije Micic splashed in four triples on his way to 17 points and 10 assists. Meanwhile, Tre Mann added 18 points and Davis Bertans chipped in 12 points.

However, Oklahoma City found success of their own offensively with Josh Giddey posting a triple-double for the second straight Sunday logging 20 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists.

Aaron Wiggins was a massive contributor in this game needing to fill a role in the starting lineup for the short-handed Thunder carrying the load to the tune of 26 points, five assists, two rebounds and a jaw-dropping six steals.

Chet Holmgren's 20-point double-double helped seal the game for the Thunder in an all-around effort that included 10 rebounds, three blocks and a pair of steals.

All five OKC Thunder starters found their way to double-digits with Joe (10) and Lindy Waters III (10) cracking double-figures off the bench.

Up next, the Oklahoma City Thunder will battle the Sacramento Kings in the Paycom Center on Tuesday in a game that will have big Western Conference seeding implications.

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