Jalen Williams scored 25 points and 8 assists in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 15th straight victory. This time he won 131-101 against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Sunday.
In doing so, the defending champions improved their record to 23-1, tying the second-most record in NBA history for a start to a season. The New York Knicks had the same performance in 1969-1970.
The only ones to have done better were the 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors with a 30-1 record.
During their current streak, the Thunder have won by 18.9 points, on average.
Chet Holmgren had 25 points and 9 rebounds for Oklahoma City, which made 11 three-pointers in the first quarter. This is a team mark, but also the NBA record in a given quarter this season.
The visitors led 10-1 and 31-13, en route to a 74-48 cushion at the break.
Aaron Wiggins added 19 points, including five three-pointers. Ousmane Dieng totaled 14 points.
Being at home, Branden Carlson scored 13 points. Originally from South Jordan, a suburb of Salt Lake City, he played for the University of Utah in the NCAA.
Many absent
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed his first game this season due to a left elbow injury.
Last season, SGA was the season MVP, Finals MVP and scoring champion. He also finished 3rd in the NBA in steals per game.
This season, the Ontarian is 2nd in the league with 32.8 points per game, on average.
Montreal’s Luguentz Dort missed a third straight game because of a strained right groin.
OKC was also without Isaiah Hartenstein (calf), Isaiah Joe (knee) and Alex Caruso (quadriceps).
