Story byShai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 46 points including a game-tying buzzer beater as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Utah Jazz in overtime (EZRA SHAW)AFPThu, January 8, 2026 at 5:29 AM UTC·3 min readShai Gilgeous-Alexander rescued the Oklahoma City Thunder with a game-tying buzzer-beater before finishing with 46 points in a 129-125 overtime victory against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. The reigning NBA champions looked to be heading for a third straight loss after the Jazz inched into a 114-112 lead following Lauri Markkanen's layup with just three seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut NBA Most Valuable Player Gilgeous-Alexander drained a superb 13-foot jump shot to tie it up at 114-114 as the buzzer sounded to send the game into overtime. Gilgeous-Alexander then took over in the extra period with nine points as the Western Conference leaders returned to winning ways after back-to-back defeats."We just tried to stay in the moment and do whatever it took to get the W," Gilgeous-Alexander said afterwards."It's not always going to be pretty, but we've got to play a lot better... we'd rather learn lessons in a win than in a loss."Asked about his game-tying buzzer-beater, Gilgeous-Alexander added: "That's what I practice for. I work out for the moments when the game is at its tightest and you need plays."AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGilgeous-Alexander, who also had six rebounds and six assists, was backed with 23 points from Chet Holmgren, who pulled down 12 rebounds. Oklahoma City improved to 31-7 at the top of the Western Conference.- Spurs down Lakers -The San Antonio Spurs took full advantage of the absence of LeBron James to secure a 107-91 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Victor Wembanyama scored 16 points from the bench while Keldon Johnson led the Spurs scorers with 27 points as San Antonio improved to 26-11.
