The Oklahoma City Thunder mounted a spectacular comeback to rout the Utah Jazz 144-112 in NBA Cup play on Friday night. Trailing by as many as 18 points in the first half, the Thunder unleashed a dominant 33-4 run in the third quarter to seize control of the game.
During that massive third-quarter burst, Oklahoma City scored 22 consecutive points, completely overwhelming the Jazz’s defense. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 31 points, including all three of his made three-pointers, finishing 9-of-13 from the field and 10-of-12 from the free-throw line.
The Thunder’s third quarter outscoring of Utah 43-20 reflected their status as the league’s best third-quarter team. They forced nine turnovers during that period and shot an impressive 69% from beyond the arc. “We played with relentless pressure and executed on both ends,” said coach Mark Daigneault, highlighting the team’s suffocating defense.
Oklahoma City’s shooting percentages were remarkable overall, sinking 61.4% of their field goals and a season-best 62.2% on three-point attempts, making 23 of 37 shots from deep. Isaiah Joe contributed 16 points, and Jaylin Williams made a season-high five three-pointers on his way to 15 points.
Despite Utah’s early dominance — scoring 44 points in the first quarter and leading throughout the half — the Jazz were unable to sustain their momentum. Keyonte George led Utah with 20 points, and Lauri Markkanen added 19. Yet the Jazz struggled with 28 turnovers, which the Thunder converted into 44 points.
The Thunder improved to 16-1 overall and extended their winning streak to eight games. They also remain undefeated at 5-0 when trailing by double digits. This 32-point victory marked the largest comeback win by any team trailing by 15 or more points in the play-by-play era, a feat that underscores Oklahoma City’s resilience.
After holding an 18-point lead early, Utah could not withstand the Thunder’s surge, who eventually held a 36-point advantage late in the contest. Oklahoma City’s relentless third-quarter performance was the decisive factor in one of the most impressive comebacks seen this season.
