Shai’s payback masterclass as OKC avenge lone loss

Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points and the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder avenged their only loss of the season by beating Portland 122-95 on Sunday.

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The hosts Thunder improved to an NBA-best 17-1 and stretched their win streak to nine games by defeating the Trail Blazers, who kept them from a perfect start with a 121-119 upset at Portland on Nov 5.

Gilgeous-Alexander made 13-of-18 shots from the floor, two-of-three from three-point range, and all nine of his free throws while adding seven assists, five rebounds and two steals.

“He's a killer and we know that,” teammate Ajay Mitchell said of Gilgeous-Alexander. “Seeing him in that zone is always a pleasure to watch.”

Oklahoma City became only the fifth NBA team in the past 30 years to begin acampaign 17-1, joining Cleveland last season, Golden State in 2015, Dallas in 2002 and Chicago in 1996.

Mitchell had 20 points off the bench on eight-of-eight shooting, two-of-two from three-point range.

“Glad we got the win. Glad I got a good game. Happy about it,” Mitchell said. “[The key was] just being prepared and being ready for 48 minutes.