On January 13, 2024; in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), the guard for Oklahoma City Thunder, flashed a smile after making a score against the Orlando Magic during the initial quarter at Paycom Center.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander achieved a remarkable 37 points, steering the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 112-100 victory over the Orlando Magic in Oklahoma City on Saturday.

The match marked the primary regular-season clash between Paolo Banchero of the Magic and Chet Holmgren of the Thunder, who were selected as the top two picks in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Banchero concluded with 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Meanwhile, Holmgren, who was the second pick in the 2022 draft and missed the prior season due to a foot injury, accumulated 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.

Orlando managed to reduce a 16-point deficit to six with slightly over two minutes left on account of Cole Anthony’s jump shot. Nonetheless, Jalen Williams responded with a jumper in the subsequent possession, triggering a 7-0 streak for Oklahoma City, which has secured victory in four consecutive games and nine of its last 11.

Oklahoma City’s streak of 10 games with a shooting rate of at least 50 percent from the field came to an end as the Thunder had a shooting rate of 45.7 percent in this win.

Gilgeous-Alexander made 13 of his 20 shots from the field and concluded with 11 successful free-throws out of 12.

The Thunder concluded the third quarter with a 10-2 surge, securing a 13-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Oklahoma City’s performance from the 3-point line in the initial half was subpar at 3 of 22, while Orlando fared marginally better at 3 of 20.

The Magic only managed to land 20 of their shots from long distance in this defeat, marking their second-worst shooting performance from beyond the arc this season.

The Thunder tallied a total of 23 assists, breaking a streak of three consecutive games with 30 or more assists.

For Orlando, Anthony and Caleb Houstan contributed 14 points each, but still, Orlando suffered its third consecutive defeat.