P.J. Washington scores career-high 43 as Charlotte Hornets top Oklahoma City Thunder | TSN

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — P.J. Washington scored 22 of his career-high 43 factors within the fourth quarter, and the Charlotte Hornets rallied to beat the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder 137-134 on Tuesday night time for his or her third straight win.

Washington made 8 of 11 area objectives and three of 5 3-pointers within the last quarter to assist the Hornets get well from an eight-point deficit early within the interval.

“Credit score to my teammates getting me in the correct spots,” he mentioned. “I used to be simply making an attempt to be aggressive with the photographs that I did take.”

Three Thunder gamers scored profession highs — Isaiah Joe with 33 factors and Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams with 31 every. However Williams and Giddey every missed one among two free throws within the last 16 seconds, and Williams missed a 3-pointer on the buzzer that may have pressured extra time.

It was a probably pricey loss for Oklahoma Metropolis. The Thunder had been seeking to strengthen their place within the Western Convention play-in race regardless of being short-handed. Oklahoma Metropolis guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who entered the day fourth within the league averaging 31.3 factors per sport, sat out with a sprained left ankle.

“We’ve got to buckle down and perceive what we’re enjoying for and what the stakes are at this finish of the season,” mentioned Giddey, who additionally had 10 rebounds and 9 assists.

Charlotte was short-handed, too. Terry Rozier (proper foot discomfort) and Kelly Oubre (strained proper shoulder) sat out for the third straight sport and Dennis Smith (sprained proper toe) additionally didn’t play.

That did not cease the Hornets from scoring 80 factors after halftime.

“I used to be most dissatisfied in our protection, particularly within the second half, actually from the primary 5 minutes all through,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault mentioned. “We have to look within the mirror on that.”

The Hornets had been coming off two wins over the Dallas Mavericks, who additionally want victories to get into the Western Convention playoffs.

Joe hit a 3-pointer within the closing seconds of the second quarter to provide the Thunder a 68-57 lead. Oklahoma Metropolis took a 99-93 lead into the fourth, however the Hornets battled again. Former Thunder guard Theo Maledon scored, was fouled and made the free throw to place Charlotte forward, 104-103, with just below 10 minutes to play.

Maledon hit a 3-pointer with six minutes left to provide Charlotte a 123-110 lead. The Thunder responded with a 7-0 run, with six of the factors coming from Lu Dort, to remain within the sport. Oklahoma Metropolis tied the sport at 129 on an acrobatic layup by Williams with simply over two minutes to play, and it was shut the remainder of the way in which.

“Clearly, we had our moments tonight, however definitely didn’t string collectively sufficient to be able to earn the win,” Daigneault mentioned.

TIP-INS

Hornets: Maledon obtained his second begin of the season. He completed with 19 factors and 9 assists. … C Nick Richards had 14 factors and 11 rebounds and F/C Kai Jones added 12 factors and 14 rebounds.

Thunder: G Lindy Waters (left foot plantar fasciitis) sat out. … Giddey scored 11 factors within the first quarter. … F Aleksej Pokusevski returned after a leg damage, enjoying for the Thunder for the primary time since Dec. 27. He went scoreless in 10 minutes.

HISTORIC TRIO

It was simply the third time three Thunder gamers scored at the very least 30 factors in a sport. In 2012, it was Russell Westbrook (31), James Harden (30) and Kevin Durant (30). In 2015, it was Anthony Morrow (32), Westbrook (31) and Enes Kanter (30).

UP NEXT

Hornets: Host the Chicago Bulls on Friday.

Thunder: Host the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

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Observe Cliff Brunt on Twitter: twitter.com/CliffBruntAP

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Extra AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports