NBA result: Thunder sneak by Clippers after Paul George injury

Josh Giddey scored 13 points and Isaiah Joe added 12 as Thunder won for the eighth time in their last 10 games.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) goes to the basket between Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) and guard Russell Westbrook. | Photo Credit: AP

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points against his former team and Jalen Williams added 20 as Oklahoma City Thunder continued to solidify its playoff standing on Tuesday with a 101-100 victory over host Los Angeles Clippers.

Josh Giddey scored 13 points and Isaiah Joe added 12 as Thunder won for the eighth time in their last 10 games.

Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points and Paul George added 18 against his former team before departing with a knee injury as Clippers lost for the second time in their last seven games, while continuing to hold a top-six spot in the Western Conference.

George appeared to hyperextend his right knee after he was fouled by Luguentz Dort on a rebound attempt with 4:38 remaining. He did not return to the game.

Russell Westbrook scored 15 points and Ivica Zubac added 13 as Clippers lost for the third time in three games against the Thunder this season. The teams complete their season series on Thursday at Los Angeles.

Leonard had a chance to give Clippers the victory on the last possession of the game after a rebound of a Williams miss. But after dribbling near the 3-point line for 21 seconds of the last possession, he was unable to get a shot off in time.

The game was tied 91-91 at the time of George’s injury, with Clippers going up 93-91 on a jumper from Leonard with 4:22 remaining. Thunder then went on a 6-0 run to take a 97-93 lead with 2:56 left after a layup from Gilgeous-Alexander.

Clippers pulled within 99-98 with 1:23 remaining on a 3-pointer from Eric Gordon, but Gilgeous-Alexander followed with a shot from inside for a 101-98 lead with 1:05 left. Nicolas Batum got the Clippers within a point on a layup with just under a minute remaining.

In an eventful first half, Clippers opened an 18-4 lead barely five minutes into the game before Thunder rallied to take a 23-22 lead at the end of the first quarter.

With 4:24 remaining in the first half, Leonard was called for a technical foul for arguing a non-call. Los Angeles’ Terance Mann also protested and was ejected after receiving two quick technicals.