Cason Wallace poured in 27 points, guiding the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 116-107 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. Wallace also contributed eight rebounds and six assists as the Thunder secured their third consecutive win.
Oklahoma City (45-14) saw Isaiah Joe add 22 points. Notably absent was reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, sidelined with an abdominal strain.
The Raptors (34-24) were paced by RJ Barrett, who scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Immanuel Quickley and Ja’Kobe Walter each chipped in 17 points off the bench.
All-stars Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes were limited to 15 points each.
The Thunder showcased a dominant defensive performance, building a lead as large as 25 points. Despite a strong first quarter, the Raptors struggled with possession and offensive answers for OKC's defense for extended periods, only narrowing the gap late in the fourth quarter.
A pivotal moment occurred when Raptors guard Jamal Shead tied the game at 101-101 with a three-pointer, but Oklahoma City responded with a decisive 9-0 run to secure the win.