OKLAHOMA CITY -- Jaylin Williams scored a career-high 19 points and registered 17 rebounds and 11 assists for his second career triple-double, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a dominant 133-100 victory over the injury-depleted Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
The game, held on March 19, 2025, saw the Thunder excel despite missing four starters. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s leading scorer averaging 33.0 points per game, was given a night off for rest. In addition, Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jalen Williams were sidelined due to injuries. Nevertheless, Aaron Wiggins stepped up with an impressive performance, contributing 26 points.
With a solid supporting cast, Isaiah Joe scored 21 points, while Chet Holmgren added 19 points for Oklahoma City. By halftime, the Thunder held a 70-56 lead, and they outscored Philadelphia significantly after the break, ending the third quarter ahead 103-74.
Despite the lopsided score, the 76ers put forth a commendable effort, with Quentin Grimes leading their scoring with 28 points, while Justin Edwards chipped in with 19 points. The 76ers were missing several key players, including Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., Joel Embiid, and Paul George, the last two who will be out for the remainder of the season due to injuries.
The game featured an unusual shooting display as both teams combined for a staggering total of 109 attempts from three-point range. Philadelphia set a franchise record of 57 three-point attempts, which highlighted the team’s struggle to find offense without their star players.
Coach Nick Nurse’s patched-up lineup managed to put up fight in the first half but could not keep pace with the Thunder’s depth and agility. With seven players reaching double figures for Oklahoma City, including Branden Carlson with 16 points, Kenrich Williams with 13 points, and Dillon Jones with 11, the comprehensive efforts of the Thunder’s roster overwhelmed the 76ers.
The Thunder executed a remarkable 33-14 surge during the third quarter, quickly extending their margin to 29 points before coasting through the final period with a commanding lead. Oklahoma City made 24 of their 56 three-point attempts, achieving a sharp 46.2% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. On the other hand, Philadelphia struggled, making only 18 of their 57 attempts, equating to 31.6%.
Following this game, the 76ers are scheduled to face the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, March 21, 2025. Meanwhile, the Thunder will host the Charlotte Hornets on the same day, as they continue their push toward the playoffs after clinching the Northwest Division title.
With the playoffs looming, Oklahoma City’s dominant display against a struggling Philadelphia team adds to their momentum as they strive for the top seed in the Western Conference.
