Williams scores 30, Hartenstein has double-double in season debut as Thunder beat Trail Blazers

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Jalen Williams scored 30 points, Isaiah Hartenstein had a double-double in his season debut, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Portland Trail Blazers 109-99 on Wednesday night.

Hartenstein, a free agent pickup who played for the New York Knicks last season, had been out with a broken bone in his left hand. He had 13 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks in 29 minutes and provided rim protection and bulk for a team that has struggled with injuries in the frontcourt.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 28 points for the Thunder. He made just 7 of 19 field goals, but he made all 14 of his free throws to help Oklahoma City snap a two-game losing streak.

Alex Caruso scored 17 points to help Oklahoma City’s bench outscore Portland’s 44-31.

Shaedon Sharpe led Portland with 21 points and Toumani Camara and Jerami Grant each added 14 for the Trail Blazers.

The game was close for three quarters before the Thunder used a 39-30 fourth-quarter surge to pull away,

Thunder: Hartenstein proved his value immediately. The Thunder had been getting dominated on the boards in recent games, so losing the rebounding battle 49-46 resembled a victory.

Trail Blazers: Oklahoma City scored 28 points off Portland's 24 turnovers.

Oklahoma City trailed 20-13 with 5:10 left in the first quarter when Hartenstein entered the game after missing the first 15 contests. His presence was especially important because the Thunder will be without Chet Holmgren, one of the league's top rim protectors, for at least another six weeks with a pelvic fracture.

Oklahoma City outscored the Blazers 56-32 in points in the paint.

The Trail Blazers visit Houston on Friday and the Thunder visit Sacramento on Monday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Oklahoma CIty Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng, left, shoots around Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Oklahoma CIty Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, looks for an opening past Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Oklahoma CIty Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, drives past Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Oklahoma CIty Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) passes over Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) and forward Toumani Camara (33) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Oklahoma CIty Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, drives past Portand Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Oklahoma CIty Thunder forward Jalen Williams, right, looks for an opening past Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jaren Jackson Jr. had 25 points, Desmond Bane added 21 points and 10 rebounds and the Memphis Grizzlies set a season-high with 19 3-pointers in a 117-111 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Jaylen Wells added 14 points for Memphis as Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins became the winningest coach in franchise history.

Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 35 points and 11 rebounds, but Philadelphia lost its fifth straight. Rookie Jared McCain finished with 20 points, while Guerschon Yabusele added 17 points.

Memphis, which led 115-100 with 3:15 left, had to withstand a late Philadelphia rally to capture the victory.

76ers: While the Sixers had Tyrese Maxey and Paul George back, Embiid got little help from the other two. Maxey had eight points and George added two.

Grizzlies: Jenkins passed Lionel Hollins for the winningest coach in Grizzlies history, and now has 215 victories.

The biggest key could have been when the starting lineups were announced. For the first time this season, Philadelphia's three key players — Embiid, George and Maxey — started. Until Tuesday, injuries and league suspensions had kept the trio from appearing on the floor together. It only lasted until early in the second half when George left the game with hyperextended left knee. Team officials said further testing will be done Thursday.

Memphis had struggled recently from 3-point range, (33.3%) and Bane was among those having trouble going 2 of 16 from beyond the arc in his last three games. Memphis connected on eight 3-pointers in the second quarter with Bane hitting on three and 4 of 7 in the half as the Grizzlies took the advantage to double digits. A 20-9 rally to open the fourth sealed the victory.

Philadelphia hosts Brooklyn on Friday night. The Grizzlies travel to Chicago to face the Bulls on Saturday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jake LaRavia in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jake LaRavia connect after a play in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) handles the ball ahead of Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Philadelphia 76ers guard Reggie Jackson (00), Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7), forward Paul George (8), and forward Jaylen Wells (0) struggle for control of the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)