Gilgeous-Alexander has 36 as Thunder win 5th straight with 123-110 victory over Rockets

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) passes the ball as Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks, left, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

HOUSTON (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 36 points and Chet Holmgren added 29 to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 123-110 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night.

The Thunder won their fifth straight to move into a tie with Minnesota for first place in the Western Conference.

Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault was impressed with how his team responded after falling behind by 16 points in the second quarter.

“We had some poise, but it was more urgency,” he said. “I thought tonight was a recognition of, if we kept playing like that, they could have run us off the floor.”