Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 32 as the Thunder beat the short-handed 76ers 118-102

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Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center, reacts after being fouled during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Oklahoma City Thunder’s Jalen Williams (8) goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers’ Guerschon Yabusele (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Oklahoma City Thunder’s Cason Wallace, bottom, passes the ball against Philadelphia 76ers’ Ricky Council IV, right, and Guerschon Yabusele during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Philadelphia 76ers’ Ricky Council IV, center, goes up for a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Jaylin Williams, right, and Isaiah Joe during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Philadelphia 76ers’ Eric Gordon, left, goes up for a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Luguentz Dort during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Oklahoma City Thunder’s Luguentz Dort goes up for a dunk during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Philadelphia 76ers’ Kelly Oubre Jr., left, goes up for a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Jalen Williams during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers’ Jeff Dowtin Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Philadelphia 76ers’ Guerschon Yabusele, right, dunks past Oklahoma City Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Philadelphia 76ers’ Guerschon Yabusele, left, hangs on the rim after a dunk past Oklahoma City Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points and Jalen Williams had 24 to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 118-102 win over a Philadelphia 76ers team missing three All-Stars on Tuesday night.

Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George sat out with injuries as the Sixers continued their slide down the Eastern Conference standings.

The Thunder built a 21-point lead and have won 18 of 19 games headed into Thursday’s rematch against Cleveland in a matchup of teams with the best records in each conference.

With the stars out, Justin Edwards led the 76ers with 25 points, and Jeff Dowtin Jr. had 18.

Takeaways

Thunder: Gilgeous-Alexander entered the game with a share of the NBA scoring lead at 31.4 points and topped his average with a a pair of late free throws in the fourth that gave him 32. Isaiah Hartenstein had nine points and 16 rebounds.

76ers: Philadelphia is just not a good team when Embiid, George and Maxey don’t play. The Sixers have lost three straight games, six of eight and at 15-23 are closer to a spot in the draft lottery than postseason play. Embiid missed his 25th game of the season. Embiid has played in just 13 games this season. The Sixers are 7-6 with Embiid and 8-17 without him.

Key moment

The Sixers closed within 91-87 in the fourth before Jalen Williams hit a 3 during a late 8-0 run that helped put the game away.

Key stat

The Thunder shot 70% (14 of 20) from the floor in the first quarter and never trailed in the game.

Up next

The Thunder host Cleveland on Thursday. The Cavaliers beat the Thunder 129-122 last week to end OKC’s 15-game winning streak in a matchup of NBA’s top teams. The 76ers host the Knicks on Wednesday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba