West-leading Thunder beat the Jazz 130-107 for 8th victory in 9 games

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, middle, dribbles between Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, left, and Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3), during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

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Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) takes the ball inside as Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, left, defends, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

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Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) attempts a dunk as Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, left, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

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Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) dunks as Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler , right, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

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Utah Jazz forward John Collins (20) goes for a loose ball along with Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

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Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) breaks for the hoop, as Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) defends, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) looks on as Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, center, looks for a shot as Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) defends, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) goes in or a layup, as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) defends, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

By JOHN COON

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points and the West-leading Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Utah Jazz 130-107 on Friday night for their eighth victory in nine games.

Chet Holmgren added 20 points for the Thunder. Jalen Williams had 18 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein grabbed 13 rebounds.

John Collins scored 26 points for Utah, and Keyonte George added 20. Walker Kessler finished with 19 rebounds, and Isaiah Coller had 12 assists.

Oklahoma City never trailed. The Thunder used a 15-4 run to take a 27-14 lead late in the first quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander and Alex Caruso fueled the spurt with a pair of baskets apiece.

Oklahoma City led by 25 points in the final minute of the half, going up 66-41 on Lu Dort’s layup.

Takeaways

Thunder: Smothering defense led to lots of easy baskets in transition. Oklahoma City scored 37 points off 19 Utah turnovers.

Jazz: Jaden Springer made his debut after signing a 10-day contract Thursday. He had seven points and two assists in 11 minutes.

Key moment

After Utah cut the deficit to four on Collins’ layup, Jalen Williams countered with a second-chance 3-pointer. Collins then went 1 of 2 on back-to-back trips to the free throw line, keeping it a two-possession game.

Key stat

The Thunder scored 39 points in the second quarter.

Up next

Oklahoma City is at Minnesota on Sunday night. Utah hosts Houston on Saturday night.

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