Gilgeous-Alexander scores 26 as Thunder beat Clippers 103-101 for 6th straight victory

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket against the Los Angeles Clippers defense during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

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Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) blocks the shot of Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

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Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drive past Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) as guard James Harden (1) tries to help on defense during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) tries to steal the ball away from Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

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Los Angeles Clippers guard Ben Simmons and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins battle for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

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Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) goes over the back of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) while being fouled during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

By KYLE GLASER

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 26 points and eight assists, Aaron Wiggins scored 19 points and the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder extended their winning streak to six games by holding on to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 103-101 on Sunday night.

Alex Caruso scored 14 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:54 remaining after Oklahoma City squandered a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter. Isaiah Hartenstein added 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Jaylin Williams scored 12 points.

The Thunder won despite missing Jalen Williams (hip) and Chet Holmgren (hip), their second- and third-leading scorers.

Kawhi Leonard had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and James Harden scored 17 points for the Clippers, who had their five-game winning streak halted in head coach Tyronn Lue’s return to the bench. Lue missed the previous two games because of back pain.

Takeaways

Thunder: Even at less than full strength, the Thunder proved to be a force. In addition to missing Holmgren and Jalen Williams, Gilgeous-Alexander shot a season-worst 24.1% (7 of 29) from the field and Oklahoma City still managed to beat the streaking Clippers.

Clippers: Even with Leonard back healthy, Los Angeles goes as Harden goes. Harden shot just 4 of 14 from the field, committed six turnovers and made a critical blunder in the final seconds, spoiling the Clippers’ comeback attempt.

Key moment

The Clippers had the ball in the waning seconds down by a point, but Harden held the ball too late into the shot clock. He passed it off late to Leonard, who threw a wild turnaround jumper that hit the back of the rim, ending the Clippers’ hopes.

Key stat

The Thunder went 4-0 against the Clippers this season.

Up next

The Thunder are at Sacramento on Tuesday. The Clippers visit New York on Wednesday.

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