BASKETBALL

No let-up as Thunder storm their way into NBA playoffs

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Orlando Magic 113-108 for their ninth straight win, booking their NBA playoffs spot for a third consecutive year.

Chet Holmgren added 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Thunder and Ajay Mitchell had 16 points, five of them during a mid-fourth quarter run that put the Thunder ahead to stay on Tuesday night (Wednesday AEDT).

Paolo Banchero had 32 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for Orlando, who lost on a second straight night after a seven-game win streak of their own.

Read the article