The Japan Times - Thunder demolish Suns, Spurs shock Lakers to reach NBA Cup semis

NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points to lead the reigning NBA champion Thunder, who improved to 24-1 to equal the best 25-game start to a season in league history.

They dominated from start to finish to book their place in the final four of the in-season tournament in Las Vegas, where they will take on the Spurs on Saturday.

The New York Knicks and Orlando Magic also meet for a place in Tuesday's final.

In Los Angeles, Stephon Castle scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and De'Aaron Fox added 20 to lead San Antonio, who beat the Lakers despite the continued absence of French superstar Victor Wembanyama.

Wembanyama missed his 12th game with a calf injury. But San Antonio have won nine of their last 12, and coach Mitch Johnson said before the contest that Wembanyama was "very, very close" to a return.

Seven Spurs players scored in double figures as San Antonio withstood a 35-point performance from Lakers star Luka Doncic.

Marcus Smart returned from injury to score 26 off the bench for the Lakers and LeBron James added 19.

But Los Angeles struggled to find a way to slow down the speedy Spurs, who held the advantage in fastbreak points and second-chance points and made 29 of 36 free-throw attempts, while the Lakers were 17 of 23 from the line.

On Wednesday's evidence, few would bet against Oklahoma City completing an NBA Finals-NBA Cup double after a superb performance before their home crowd at the Paycom Center.

- 'High standard' -

"We hold ourselves to a high standard and most importantly it's about us getting better," Gilgeous-Alexander said after an offensive display that included 22 Thunder three-pointers.

"We just moved the ball really well. Played together, very decisive on offense and tried to play through our comfort zone and when we do that we're a pretty good offense," added Gilgeous-Alexander, who has now scored 20 points or more in 96 consecutive games.

Oklahoma City are aiming to go one better in the NBA Cup than they did last season, when they reached the final only to be upset by the Milwaukee Bucks.

"We should be in a good position -- we've got a lot better since last year," Gilgeous-Alexander said.

The Thunder blowout was all but assured after a devastating 38-point first quarter, which they followed with 36 points in the second to reach half-time with a commanding 74-48 lead. Oklahoma City led by as many as 53 points.

Gilgeous-Alexander received offensive support from Chet Holmgren, whose 24 points included a perfect 4-of-4 from three-point range, with eight rebounds and three blocks.

Holmgren was also at the center of a third-quarter flashpoint, with frustrated Suns point guard Grayson Allen getting ejected for a rough bodycheck on the towering Thunder center.

Oklahoma City's start to the season equals the 24-1 record compiled by the Golden State Warriors at the start of the 2015-2016 campaign, when the club went on to finish a history-making 73-9 regular-season record.

Y.Mori--JT