BBNBA: Cason Wallace scores career-high 16 points as Thunder defeat Jazz

The Oklahoma City Thunder took down the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City with a 134-129 effort, thanks in part to two former Kentucky Wildcats.

You already know about Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, who has emerged as one of the best basketball players on the planet. He had 31 points, six rebounds, and six assists on Thursday night. Again, he put up MVP numbers like it was nothing. However, Cason Wallace may have just played his best game yet in the NBA.

Wallace scored 16 points against the Jazz, which was good enough for a new career-high for the rookie. He was very efficient from the field as well, making six of his seven shot attempts, including going four of five from deep. Additionally, Wallace managed to grab four rebounds on the night as well. In just his second 30+ minute game in the NBA, the rookie proved he can bring a lot to the table and be a valuable contributor on a team on the rise. Wallace, on the other hand, said he couldn’t have had this type of performance without the help of his teammates.

❝Sticking together and fighting hard the whole 48.❞

Check in with @wallace_cason and @NickAGallo following tonight’s high-energy game in Salt Lake City 🎤 pic.twitter.com/hINocNQsoj

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 19, 2024

The up-and-coming Thunder sit at 28-13, which is just behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for the second-best record in the Western Conference. In addition, the Thunder are tied for the third-best record in the entire league.

For years, the Thunder were in a major rebuild following the departure of Russell Westbrook, arguably one of the best players to ever don a uniform for the franchise. However, the Thunder have worked their way up into being championship contenders.

Other BBNBA Notes:

• The Kings came up just short against the Tyrese Haliburton-less Pacers 126-21. However, De’Aaron Fox scored 24 points, dished out six assists, and grabbed five rebounds in the losing effort. Malik Monk scored nine points while Trey Lyles recorded three rebounds and two assists.
• Julius Randle‘s 21 points, eight rebounds, and five assists were just enough to power the Knicks over the 7-33 Washington Wizards.
• The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to prove to be one of the best teams in the NBA as Karl-Anthony Towns got 14 points and seven rebounds in a 118-103 win over the Grizzlies.
• Immanuel Quickley scored 12 points as the Toronto Raptors fell to the Chicago Bulls 116-110 at home.
• In just five minutes of play, Isaiah Jackson scored two points as the Pacers earned a narrow five-point victory over the Kings.

1/18/23 Statistics:

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	+/-	MIN
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)	134-129 W @ UTA	31	8-15 (0-1)	6	6	1	1	4	-1	35
De’Aaron Fox (SAC)	126-121 L vs IND	24	8-20 (3-7)	6	6	1	0	1	3	40
Julius Randle (NYK)	113-109 W vs WAS	21	8-17 (3-8)	8	5	0	0	5	1	39
Cason Wallace (OKC)	134-129 W @ UTA	16	6-7 (4-5)	4	1	1	1	1	-1	32
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)	118-103 W vs MEM	14	5-12 (2-5)	7	2	0	1	1	-1	29
Immanuel Quickley (TOR)	116-110 L vs CHI	12	4-10 (2-7)	3	3	1	0	2	-17	35
Malik Monk (SAC)	126-121 L vs IND	9	3-9 (2-6)	3	4	1	2	1	-7	26
Isaiah Jackson (IND)	126-121 W @ SAC	2	1-2 (0-0)	1	1	0	0	0	2	5
Trey Lyles (SAC)	126-121 L vs IND	0	(0-2) (0-2)	3	2	1	0	0	-9	19
Oscar Tshiebwe (IND)	126-121 W @ SAC	DNP – Coach’s Decision	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Olivier Sarr (OKC)	134-129 W vs UTA	DNP – Coach’s Decision	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Johnny Juzang (UTA)	134-129 L vs OKC	DNP – G-League	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–

Tonight in the NBA:

• 7:00 ET | 76ers (Maxey) @ Magic
• 7:00 ET | Spurs (Johnson) @ Hornets (Washington, Richards)
• 7:30 ET (ESPN) | Nuggets (Murray) @ Celtics
• 8:00 ET | Hawks @ Heat (Herro, Adebayo)
• 8:00 ET | Suns (Booker) @ Pelicans
• 10:00 ET | Pacers (Jackson, Tshiebwe: 2Way) @ Trail Blazers (Sharpe)
• 10:30 ET | Nets @ Lakers (Davis, Vanderbilt)