Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores career-high 33 as OKC run down Bulls in OT

Donovan knew all too well how good Oklahoma City can be under challenging circumstances. His Thunder team made a habit of rallying and winning close games last season on the way to a surprising playoff berth.

“Those guys are great competitors when they’re down,” Donovan said. “They play all the way through. I knew even being up 18 at the half that they were going to fight their way through and have some kind of momentum push there.”

WATCH | Toronto’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander records career-high 33 points:

Toronto’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander records career-high 33 points as his Oklahoma City Thunder defeats Chicago Bulls 127-125 in overtime. 0:18

First-year Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, an assistant under Donovan last season, didn’t get caught up in the matchup with his mentor.

“I have great respect, obviously, for him,” Daigneault said. “I love the guy. But I have a responsibility. It’s like when players play against guys that they were teammates with. Once the ball goes up in the air, we’ve got to do our jobs. At that point, it’s just another game. The relationship lies outside of the competition.”

Lu Dort scored 21 for the Thunder, who claimed their first home win in six tries this season.

Coby White had 22 points for the Bulls, who lost their fourth straight.

The Bulls led 68-50 at halftime, but Daigneault could tell the Thunder hadn’t given up.

“Coming out of the half, the guys — I thought it came from them today,” Daigneault said. “They made a decision walking out of the half to not let go of the rope.”

‘Relentless spirit’

The Bulls led 78-56 early in the second half, but the Thunder responded with a 13-0 run to get back into the game. Dort scored 13 points in a span of 2:33 to help trim the deficit, and Oklahoma City got as close as two points in the period. Chicago took a 95-87 lead into the fourth quarter.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 12 points in the fourth to help force overtime. LaVine missed a contested 3 in the closing seconds that could have won it for Chicago.

Lavine’s 3-pointer with 6.1 seconds to play in overtime cut the Thunder lead to 126-125. Oklahoma City’s George Hill was fouled with 5.2 seconds left. He missed the first free throw and made the second to set up LaVine’s final attempt.

“I thought our relentless spirit in the game was what stood out,” Daigneault said. “And even if we didn’t win it, we stood back up tonight, which is progress for us. It was a really good response from the guys, and it came from inside them.”