Thunder clinch division with wipeout of 76ers

Field Level Media|published: Wed 19th March, 22:52 2025

Mar 19, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Aaron Wiggins scored 26 points and Jaylin Williams had his second career triple-double as the host Oklahoma City Thunder knocked off the Philadelphia 76ers 133-100 on Wednesday.

The Thunder (57-12), headed toward the top seed in the Western Conference, clinched the Northwest Division.

Williams finished with career highs in points (19) and rebounds (17) and added 11 assists on 7-of-11 shooting. He also added two steals.

Isaiah Joe added 21 points while Chet Holmgren scored 19. Branden Carlson finished with a career-high 16.

Quentin Grimes led the 76ers with 28 points while Justin Edwards added 19. Chuma Okeke had 15 rebounds off the bench to go with 14 points.

Philadelphia (23-46) has dropped 17 of its last 20.

The Thunder played without the majority of their starting lineup. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was out due to rest, Jalen Williams with a right hip strain, Isaiah Hartenstein due to lower back spasms and Luguentz Dort with right hip soreness.

But, just like it did March 7 against Portland in a similar situation, Oklahoma City controlled the game.

The Thunder never trailed and led by as many as 41 to extend their winning streak to four. Oklahoma City has won 11 of its last 12 and is on the verge of clinching the top spot in the Western Conference with 13 games to play.

The result Wednesday could prove pivotal at the end of the season, as the 76ers' first-round pick would go to the Thunder unless it lands in the top six.

Oklahoma City jumped out of the gates hot on the offensive end, scoring the game's first 10 points, including 3-pointers from Joe to start the game and Jaylin Williams to end the outburst.

The Thunder scored a season-high 42 first-quarter points behind 10 points from Carlson and nine each from Williams and Holmgren. The Thunder hit 7 of 12 from beyond the arc in the quarter.

Philadelphia cut the deficit to eight in the second quarter after trailing by 21, but Oklahoma City finished the half on an 8-2 run to take control once again -- and the 76ers never again were closer than 10.

--Field Level Media

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