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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the injury-depleted Milwaukee Bucks 125-107 on Friday night to boost their hopes of taking the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
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The Thunder entered the night trailing the Denver Nuggets by one game and tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference standings with two games remaining. Denver lost to San Antonio, while Minnesota beat Atlanta on Friday, leaving the three teams tied for the conference lead with a game remaining.
The Bucks played Friday without All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. They already had announced Wednesday that Antetokounmpo would miss the rest of the regular season with a strained left calf. Lillard was out with a sore left adductor. Milwaukee fell to 4-3 in games without Antetokounmpo this season.
The Bucks could have clinched the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a win. They still can clinch the No. 2 seed with a win at Orlando on Sunday or a New York Knicks home loss to the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. Bucks coach Doc Rivers said before the game that he was more concerned with health than the standings.
Chet Holmgren had 22 points and nine rebounds and Aaron Wiggins scored 19 points for the Thunder, who have won four straight. Oklahoma City shot 52.8% from the field.
Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez each scored 18 points for Milwaukee.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) spins around Milwaukee Bucks guard Malik Beasley, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 12, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) spins around Milwaukee Bucks guard Malik Beasley, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 12, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
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Oklahoma City led 69-52 at halftime behind 16 points from Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder shot 55.3% from the field and made 12 of 13 free throws before the break.
Oklahoma City maintained control in the third quarter and led 95-81 heading into the fourth.
UP NEXT
Bucks: At Orlando on Sunday.
Thunder: Host Dallas on Sunday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) grabs a rebound in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 12, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) grabs a rebound in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 12, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 12, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 12, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley (21) prepares to shoot against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 12, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
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Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley (21) prepares to shoot against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 12, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
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