The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder secured a 122-116 preseason win over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday at Paycom Middle. The defending champions improved to 2-1 whereas Charlotte dropped to 0-2.
Thunder jumped out early within the first quarter. They constructed a 31-21 lead behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 12 factors, together with a pull-up three and a driving layup.
Alex Caruso added 11 factors for OKC. He transformed a reducing layup and drained a triple off Isaiah Hartenstein’s help.
Hornets struggled with turnovers. LaMelo Ball coughed up the ball 3 times, limiting Charlotte to 9 factors halfway by means of the body.
Moussa Diabate scored seven for Charlotte. He drew fouls and hit free throws after a Dort taking pictures foul.
Cason Wallace dished two assists for the hosts. He arrange Gilgeous-Alexander for a mid-range jumper that pressured a Hornets timeout.
Oklahoma Metropolis prolonged the sting to 31-21 on the break. Aaron Wiggins swished a deep three to cap the quarter.
Second quarter noticed Charlotte mount a comeback. They outscored Thunder 36-33 to path 64-57 at halftime.
Tre Mann heated up with 10 factors within the interval. He buried two threes and a driving layup off Ball’s go.
Ball tallied seven factors earlier than halftime. He linked on a step-back three however picked up an offensive foul.
Gilgeous-Alexander saved OKC afloat with six extra. He assisted Hartenstein on a dunk and hit a pull-up jumper.
Collin Sexton added 12 factors off the bench for Charlotte. He drained a 3 and transformed a steal right into a layup.
Isaiah Joe sparked from deep for Thunder. He splashed a 32-footer off Gilgeous-Alexander’s help late within the half.
Thunder dominated the third. They poured in 36 factors to steer 100-83 getting into the fourth.
Joe erupted for 12 within the body. He hit 4 threes, together with one off Ousmane Dieng’s help.
Jaylin Williams blocked three pictures for OKC. He swatted a Mann layup and grabbed key rebounds.
Brandon Miller scored 11 factors complete. He added eight within the third with a driving layup and free throws.
Wallace tallied six factors and three steals. He stripped Sexton and transformed the turnover right into a layup.
Charlotte mounted a ultimate push within the fourth. They outscored OKC 31-22 however fell quick.
Diabate led the cost with seven factors within the interval. He dunked off Miller’s help and hit a floating jumper.
Wiggins completed with 13 factors. He banked in a fadeaway and blocked Bridges twice.
Mann topped Hornets with 18 factors total. He added 5 within the fourth on a 3 and floating financial institution shot.
Joe led Thunder with 19 factors on 5-of-8 from three. Gilgeous-Alexander had 16 factors and 5 assists.
Hartenstein notched eight factors and 4 assists. Caruso grabbed one steal and one block.
Spencer Dinwiddie sat out for Charlotte with a sore left toe. Ibou Badji didn’t gown, whereas Pat Connaughton drew a coach’s resolution.
OKC shot 48.9% from the sphere. Charlotte hit 40.9% however pressured 16 turnovers.
Thunder wrap preseason at 2-1. Hornets search first win subsequent outing.
