Thunder Storm Back From 18-Point Deficit to Crush Jazz 144-112 in NBA Cup

The Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t just win — they rewrote the script. Down by 18 points at halftime, the defending NBA champions roared back with a 33-4 run in the third quarter, blowing past the Utah Jazz 144-112 on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City. The victory, part of the Emirates NBA CupSalt Lake City, wasn’t just a comeback. It was a statement. With the win, the Thunder improved to 16-1 on the season — the best record in the league — while the Jazz dropped to 5-10, further sinking into the Western Conference basement.

Shai Leads the Charge, Joe Sets a New Bar

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t need a full 48 minutes to remind everyone why he’s the league’s most dangerous two-way guard. The 26-year-old Canadian delivered 31 points, 8 assists, and 3 three-pointers in just 32 minutes, slicing through Utah’s defense like a hot knife through butter. But it was his teammate, Isaiah Joe, who stole the show in the second half. The 26-year-old shooting guard, often overlooked in the Thunder’s star-studded lineup, exploded for 16 points on 5-of-6 shooting — including a career-high five three-pointers on 5-of-5 from deep. "J was just telling me the value his shot from behind the arc to open up the floor," said an unnamed Thunder coach post-game. "He didn’t just shoot. He forced them to choose: guard him or get killed by the drive."

The Turnaround: How the Thunder Broke the Jazz

The Jazz led 77-59 at halftime, buoyed by Lauri Markkanen’s 18 first-half points. But the tide turned in the third quarter — and it turned violently. The Thunder outscored Utah 33-4 over a 7-minute stretch, a run that included five straight threes and four steals. Luguentz Dort, the 25-year-old Canadian enforcer, locked down Markkanen with relentless physicality. "D was a huge factor in the third quarter specifically," the coach said. "It just seemed like Markkanen didn’t get anything going towards the rim whatsoever. Everything’s falling away." The defensive transformation was no accident. Alex Caruso, the 30-year-old veteran, orchestrated the rotations with surgical precision. Meanwhile, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein combined for 24 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 blocks, turning the paint into a no-fly zone. By the end of the third, the Thunder led 92-81. By the end of the fourth? 144-112.

Utah’s Struggles: Talent Without Direction

For the Jazz, it was déjà vu. Keyonte George, the 22-year-old point guard, led his team with 20 points and 8 assists, but he was often isolated against double teams late. The Jazz’s bench, featuring veterans like Kevin Love (36) and Jusuf Nurkic (30), offered little lift. Love played just 12 minutes, finishing with 4 points. Nurkic, playing through a sore knee, managed 6 points and 7 rebounds in 18 minutes. The team shot 41% from the field and 30% from three — an abysmal performance for a squad with as much talent as Utah. "They didn’t flinch," said one Jazz assistant, speaking off the record. "We thought we had them. Then they just… went quiet. And then they exploded. That’s the thing about OKC — they don’t panic. They don’t get rattled. They just keep playing."

The Bigger Picture: Championship DNA on Display

This wasn’t just a win. It was proof that the Thunder aren’t just good — they’re mentally unbreakable. They’ve now won 10 games by 15+ points this season. They’ve overcome double-digit deficits in five of their last seven games. And they’ve done it with a rotation of 10 players averaging double-digit minutes — no one player carrying the load. Even Branden Carlson, a local Utah product playing in front of his hometown crowd, had a quiet 8-point, 5-rebound night — and still got a standing ovation. The the Emirates NBA CupSalt Lake City group stage ends in late November, and with this win, the Thunder are all but locked into the top seed in the Western Conference bracket. They’ve won their group with two games to spare. The knockout rounds begin December 3 — and if this performance is any indication, they’re not just here to participate. They’re here to dominate.

What’s Next? The Road to the Cup Final

Oklahoma City’s next two games — against the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers — will be critical tests. But even if they rest starters, their depth makes them the most dangerous team left in the Cup. Meanwhile, the Jazz face a brutal stretch: five games in eight days, including matchups with the Warriors and Mavericks. With their defense in shambles and confidence crumbling, they may be looking at a long, painful winter. For now, the Thunder are the team everyone’s watching. Not because they’re flashy. Not because they’re loud. But because they’re relentless. When the game’s on the line, they don’t look for heroes. They just play — and let the results speak.