Thunder Duo Combines for 65, Spoils Magic's Celebratory Night

On a commemorative night in Orlando, the Thunder edged out the Magic to sweep the season series behind a massive performance from its star tandem.

Oklahoma City came into Orlando under some pretty big lights on Tuesday. 

A Shaquille O'Neal jersey retirement, the Magic's first nationally televised game at home in over a decade – including star sophomore Paolo Banchero's first game on national television – the Thunder could've fell flat versus an inspired team, or played to its standard and spoil a special night on the road.

Through a 65-point performance between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City managed a 127-113 win over Orlando to close the season series undefeated at 2-0. 

It was not a clear cut victory for the Thunder, as two young and blossoming teams in opposing conferences bumped heads on a big stage. But in the end, Oklahoma City's maturity and skill level helped them hold that edge to come out on the winning side.

Alone, Williams led the team in scoring with 33 and had another outing indicative of his budding potential as a second-year forward in the NBA – nearly eclipsing his career high of 36 while putting up back-to-back 30-plus point performances.

Chet Holmgren was also a catalyst for the Thunder primarily on the defensive end, generating five blocks while snagging nine boards to fortify the paint. Isaiah Joe had his best outing since his return from injury in the win, as he produced 10 points with a three.

The Magic was paced by Banchero's 23 points, as well as Wendell Carter Jr's 22. 

The opening minutes of the contest saw the Magic jump out to a small advantage behind the atmosphere of Kia Center, leading by as much as 11 halfway through the quarter.

Those early efforts from Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. were somewhat thwarted when Oklahoma City was able to find success in running the floor – eventually closing the frame with eight points in transition.

It wasn't a one-man show like we've grown accustomed to with Gilgeous-Alexander's seemingly effortless double-digit bursts within the game's first 12 minutes, but a balanced scoring effort between the starting five minus a scoreless Holmgren. 

Along with the starters were early contributors Joe and Jaylin Williams, who combined for nine points off the bench in the quarter.

The Thunder closed out the first on a 13-5 run, erasing the Magic's lead to just one, 32-31, before entering the second frame.

Oklahoma City continued to turn defense into offense, as Holmgren's interior presence defensively helped spark fast break opportunities to hold a tight lead in the beginning of the quarter.

Moritz Wagner would provide a strong impact off the bench, but the Thunder's swift pace in the open court alongside Josh Giddey's and Jalen Williams' 24 combined points with less than six minutes to play in the half extended their lead to eight.

Suggs would get hot from distance though, hitting two threes late in the quarter – four in the half – to keep the gap manageable.

Though, bad shot selection from Oklahoma City was limited which has been routine this season, with the team shooting 43.8% from 3-point range and 52.3% overall through two quarters.

And even with a first half full of struggle for Gilgeous-Alexander – who shot just 3-of-11 for eight points – he leaned on his teammates, and the Thunder maintained an eight-point lead to enter halftime.

Oklahoma City appeared as if it were going to finally break open the game throughout the start of the third, leaking out to a 17-point advantage leveraged by a 10-0 run. 

Gilgeous-Alexander broke out of his uncharacteristic first-half slump to curate that run – scoring 12 on 67% shooting. 

The Magic would continue to keep the game within a respectable reach though, garnering some momentum late in the quarter to bear a 92-82 Thunder lead before the final frame.  

This was the quarter where Oklahoma City would kick into a high gear, as the team broke out to a quick 21-point lead in the closing frame.

An overwhelming end of the contest for the Magic orchestrated by Williams, Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren was the end of the road for Orlando, as the Thunder stole the show.

Oklahoma City will now look forward to its rest over the All-Star break before getting back in action versus the Los Angeles Clippers at 7 p.m. CT on Thursday, Feb. 22 inside Paycom Center.

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