The reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder erased a 19-point first-half deficit to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 114-100 on Sunday, improving their league-best record to 10-1.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shines
Reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 13 of his 35 points in the third quarter, powering the Thunder’s comeback. He added seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals, while Chet Holmgren and Ajay Mitchell contributed 21 points each.

“We know in this league so many variables are thrown at you on a nightly basis,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “You’ve just got to figure out what the task is that night and get it done. We’ve done that on multiple occasions in the past couple of years. We built that muscle pretty well, and it showed.”

Game flow
The Grizzlies led 33-25 after the first quarter and held a 62-51 advantage at halftime. But the Thunder stormed back in the third, outscoring Memphis 34-18 to take an 85-80 lead into the final frame. The Grizzlies tied the game twice in the fourth, but Mitchell’s layup with 8:05 left put Oklahoma City ahead for good. Gilgeous-Alexander then delivered a pair of three-pointers and a three-point play in a nine-point stretch as the Thunder pulled away.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Ja Morant added 11 points, eight assists, and three rebounds.

“My shot wasn’t falling throughout the whole night, that didn’t deter me,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I just stuck with it. Made a few just in time for the W.”

Rockets rally past Bucks
The Houston Rockets overcame a late deficit to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 122-115, led by 31 points from two-time champion Kevin Durant. Alperen Sengun added 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard contributed 16 points apiece.

The Bucks led most of the game until Smith’s three-pointer put Houston ahead 113-111 with 2:28 remaining. Durant’s pull-up basket and Sengun’s turnaround hook shot and three-point play sealed the win. Durant shot 11-of-15 and added seven assists, with the Rockets outscoring Milwaukee 22-7 in the final four and a half minutes.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 37 for the Bucks but missed a layup and four of six free throws in the final 90 seconds.

Other league highlights

Knicks dominate at home: New York extended their perfect home record to 6-0 with a 134-98 blowout of the Brooklyn Nets.

Pistons rally past 76ers: Cade Cunningham posted 26 points and 11 assists to lead Detroit to a 111-107 victory in Philadelphia, overcoming a 13-point deficit. Tyrese Maxey scored 33 points for the 76ers, who played without Joel Embiid.

Warriors handle Pacers: Jimmy Butler recorded 21 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists as Golden State beat the injury-hit Indiana Pacers 114-83, despite Stephen Curry missing his third straight game.