OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Aaron Wiggins had the game of his life on Saturday night, scoring a career-high 41 points and pulling down 14 rebounds to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a commanding 144-110 victory over the Sacramento Kings at Paycom Center. The 25-year-old wing took full advantage of his starting role, filling the void left by injured forward Jalen Williams, and showcased his ability to perform under pressure.
The Thunder, now sporting a stellar record of 38 wins against just 9 losses, dominated the game from the outset. Wiggins shot 16 of 30 from the field and nailed 6 of 14 attempts from beyond the arc, showcasing his all-around offensive capabilities. He made significant contributions throughout the game, particularly scoring 14 points during the fourth quarter, even as the team was solidly ahead.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander supported Wiggins with 29 points and nine assists, demonstrating once again why he’s considered one of the top players in the league. The Thunder set the tempo for the game early on, scoring 82 points by halftime—a tally only one point shy of the franchise record for points scored within the first two quarters.
The Kings struggled to keep pace, with De’Aaron Fox leading the team with only 20 points. Despite some contributions off the bench, including Malik Monk’s 19 points and DeMar DeRozan’s 17, Sacramento's inability to connect from three-point range—shooting just 25%—proved damaging against the high-flying Thunder.
Oklahoma City was missing significant pieces but managed to dominate on the boards, finishing with 70 rebounds, 20 of which were offensive, compared to Sacramento’s 37 rebounds. This significant edge highlighted the Thunder's control over the pace and flow of the game.
From the get-go, the Thunder established themselves with quick movements and sharp shooting. Upon entering the game, Wiggins whipped up the crowd with our favorite chant of: "Aaron Wiggins! Aaron Wiggins!" paying major homage to his impressive performance. Going from just 9.3 points per game to over 40 not only resulted from his hard work but underscored the excitement around his potential.
"It felt good to be out there and contribute to the team’s success," said Wiggins post-game, holding the game ball as if it were a trophy. "I’ve been waiting for my opportunity, and I was ready to make the most of it tonight." His performance certainly reflects this dedication.
The pivotal second quarter set the tone for the game as the Thunder outscored the Kings 46-24. Wiggins seemingly had the hot hand, hitting shots from all corners of the court, and his savvy off-ball movements allowed him to find opportunities against a struggling Kings defense. The Kings attempted to rally, even cutting the deficit to 53-44 with some hard-fought efforts from Fox and Sabonis, but Oklahoma City responded decisively with a stellar 29-11 run, widening the score to 82-55 at halftime.
By the time the final buzzer rang, Wiggins had firmly planted his name among Thunder legends as only the seventh player to score at least 40 points for the franchise—joining the ranks of stars like Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. "This was not just another game; it was a milestone for me and my career," he explained. "I’m grateful for the team’s support and the fans who cheered me on throughout the night."
Wiggins’ breakout performance offered relief for the Thunder, who are strategizing their winning ways even without their top players like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. With the team’s positioning as frontrunners, every win is pivotal moving forward, especially as the trade deadline approaches.
While the Kings prepare to visit Minnesota on Monday, reeling from another disappointing defeat, Oklahoma City shifts its focus to hosting the Milwaukee Bucks, where they hope to build on this tremendous momentum. With the stage now set, everyone will be anticipating how Wiggins will follow up this defining moment of his career.
Oklahoma City’s fans have much to celebrate this season, and they’ll continue rallying behind their players as their performance strengthens with each game.