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    • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 45 points as OKC beats Thunder Clippers
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    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 45 points as OKC beats Thunder Clippers

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    Living in the 2024 World Cup era (without Chet) gripped the Thunder just seconds into Monday night’s game.

    The Clippers wasted no time in nurturing Ivica Zubac, a 7-foot, 240-pound center. After all, he was faced with a lineup without a player taller than 6-6.

    But OKC wasted no time in stripping Zubac. And poking ball after ball, provoking one offensive foul after another. A life without Chet Holmgren seemed feasible.

    Possibly. But not easy, chasing a 134-128 victory until the last seconds.

    OKC forced 23 turnovers. It held Zubac to three shots in the first half. It swarmed around as its small setups are known to do.

    The Thunder led by as many as 17 early in the third quarter.

    But for 48 minutes?

    It was taxing. Quite a job for a small team with few hands.

    Monday’s victory did not come without a glimpse of reality without Holmgren.

    Zubac made 10 shots in the second half, nearly tripling his first-half output. He dropped a step and stretched his wingspan beyond OKC’s small backline. He remembered who he was. And OKC scrambled into the gaps that came with it, as well as the shots that needed to come for the Clippers.

    But small balls are a way of life in Smallville, okay. Eventually, things got going again, with the Thunder posing just enough problems for James Harden (17 points, 5-of-15 shooting with five fouls and five turnovers) to put the game in Zubac’s hands.

    His hands were too big to thrive in Smallville.

    More: What does Clippers OKC Thunder owe to the Paul George trade? 2025 pick swap assessment

    It’s surprising that the number is so low. That such a consistently dominant, slick, unbeatable scorer had never reached 45 points before Monday night.

    But Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rarely steps outside of himself, even if it means he doesn’t reach 50 (or apparently 45) when he’s hovering near 40.

    The Thunder needed every last point he delivered on Monday.

    All four are three points, this time after eight attempts. All fifteen free throws, missing only one attempt. Every last probe, every last midrange jumper. Gilgeous-Alexander was “vintage,” as coach Mark Daigneault wanted to call him postgame: letting a product, according to Daigneault, of the game come to him.

    REQUIRED READING: What does Clippers OKC Thunder owe to the Paul George trade? 2025 pick swap assessment

    Thunder vs. Clippers live score updates

    More: How will the OKC Thunder handle the frontcourt after Chet Holmgren’s injury? Welcome to Smallville

    What time is Thunder vs Clippers

    • Date: Monday November 11th
    • Time: 7pm CT
    • Where: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City

    More: OKC Thunder vs Los Angeles Clippers: prediction, picks, injury updates and odds

    • TV: FanDuel Sports Network
    • Watch online: Fubo (free trial)
    • Radio: WWLS 98.1FM

    More: Why OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s three-point volume doesn’t mean he’s changed

    Thunder vs. Clippers Odds

    Odds available via BetMGM from Monday, November 11

    Chances: Thunder with 6.5

    Top/bottom: 218.5

    Moneyline: OKC-275 | Los Angeles +220

    More: How the OKC Thunder roster was built to protect the King: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

    OKC Thunder roster

    • Alex Caruso, PG
    • Ousmane Dieng, SF
    • Luguentz Dort, SG
    • Alex Ducas, SG*
    • Adam Flagler, PG
    • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, SG
    • Isaiah Hartenstein, C
    • Chet Holmgren, PF
    • Isaiah Joe, SG
    • Dillon Jones, S.F
    • Ajay Mitchell, S.G.*
    • Alex Reese, PF
    • Nikola Topić, PG
    • Cason Wallace, S.G
    • Aaron Wiggins, S.G
    • Jalen Williams, S.G
    • Jaylin Williams, PF
    • Kenrich Williams, PF

    *-two-way contract

    More: What does the new OKC Thunder arena look like? Why architect David Manica is not yet certain

    OKC Thunder schedule

    Friday November 8: OKC 126, Houston 107

    Sunday November 10: vs. Golden State at 6 p.m. (FanDuel Sports Network)

    Monday November 11: vs. Los Angeles Clippers at 7 p.m. (FanDuel Sports Network and NBA TV)

    Wednesday November 13: vs. New Orleans at 6:30 PM (FanDuel Sports Network and ESPN)

    Friday, November 15 (NBA Cup Game): vs. Phoenix at 7 p.m. (FanDuel Sports Network)

    More: OKC Thunder Bold Predictions: What Will Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Do?

    Thunder vs. Clippers highlights

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