Sloppy, Harden-less Clippers are no match for rested Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY — This one was going to be a considerable challenge even with James Harden.

Without the former league MVP, the struggling Clippers got run over by the reigning MVP and the defending champs.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points before resting in the fourth quarter, and the Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back from a rare loss to beat the Clippers, forcing 28 turnovers in a 122-101 win on Thursday night.

The Thunder lost to the San Antonio Spurs last Saturday for just their second defeat of the season, ending their team-record 16-game winning streak. They recovered on Thursday after some much-needed rest and improved to 25-2 overall and 13-0 at home.

Gilgeous-Alexander made 13 of 24 shots and had seven rebounds and six assists. It was his 98th consecutive game with at least 20 points, adding to the second-longest streak in NBA history. Chet Holmgren scored 22 points and Jalen Williams added 20 for Oklahoma City.

Harden, who leads the Clippers with 26 points per game, sat out with a bruised left calf. Without their star point guard, the Clippers struggled to protect the ball, leading to 39 Oklahoma City points. Cason Wallace had five of Oklahoma City’s 18 steals.

Oklahoma City committed just nine turnovers.

Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points and John Collins added 20 for the Clippers (6-21), who have lost five straight and 10 of 11. Ivica Zubac had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The Clippers led for most of the first quarter and held an 11-point lead early after a 12-0 run fueled by six consecutive points from Leonard. The Clippers still led in the early part of the second quarter before the Thunder found their rhythm, taking the lead for good following a 9-0 run midway through the period.

Though the Clippers shot 48.7% from the field for the game, they were just 7 for 21 from the field and 3 for 13 from 3-point range in the second quarter when the Thunder outscored them 37-22. Holmgren scored 18 points on 7-for-10 shooting in the first half to help the Thunder open a 64-55 lead at the break.

Oklahoma City took control for good in the third quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 19 points in the period to give the Thunder a 103-83 lead heading into the fourth. Oklahoma City shot 55.6% from the field in the third while outscoring the Clippers 39-28.

Former Clippers center Isaiah Hartenstein missed the game for Oklahoma City on the first night of a back-to-back, while Isaiah Joe returned after sitting out four games due to a knee injury. Joe had 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

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The Clippers host the Lakers on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.