OKC Blue Outlast Skyforce in OT Shootout: Barnhizer Seals It with Clutch Jumper
In a game that felt more like a track meet than a basketball contest, the OKC Blue edged out the Sioux Falls Skyforce in a 137-135 overtime thriller on Monday night. It was the kind of high-scoring showdown that reminds you just how electric the G League can be-and how thin the margin for error is when both teams are firing on all cylinders.
The win bumps the Blue’s record to 6-14, but this one was about more than just a notch in the win column. It was about grit, resilience, and a whole lot of buckets.
First Half: Buckets Early, Buckets Often
From the opening tip, both squads came out swinging. The Skyforce jumped ahead with a 41-36 lead after the first quarter, setting the tone for a night where defense was more suggestion than strategy. OKC kept pace in the second, putting up 31 points but still trailed 71-67 at the break.
That’s 138 combined points in 24 minutes. For context, that’s more than some full NBA games this season. Welcome to the G League, where the pace is fast, the shots are flying, and the scoreboard barely gets a breather.
Second Half: Trading Blows and Big Moments
The third quarter was more of the same: both teams dropped 33 points, pushing the Skyforce lead to 104-100 heading into the final frame. At this point, it was clear-this one was going down to the wire.
The fourth quarter delivered just that. With the game locked in a back-and-forth battle, Josh Christopher came up big, tying it at 130 with just 14 seconds left.
Sioux Falls had a chance to win it in regulation, but Chris Youngblood’s attempt rimmed out. Overtime it was.
Overtime: Barnhizer Calls Game
In the extra period, both teams managed just five points apiece-an ironic twist after the offensive explosion of the previous four quarters. But with the game tied at 135, it was Brooks Barnhizer who rose to the moment.
The mid-range jumper? Pure.
And just like that, OKC walked away with a hard-earned win.
By the Numbers: Team Stats Tell the Story
Both teams shot the lights out. OKC hit 54% from the field and 43.8% from deep (14-of-32), while Sioux Falls wasn’t far behind at 52% overall and 46.2% from three (18-of-39).
The Blue dished out 40 assists on 51 made baskets-an impressive display of ball movement-and had seven players score in double figures. The Skyforce countered with 35 assists and five players in double digits.
Standout Performances
Let’s talk about the guys who made this one special:
- Brooks Barnhizer: The hero of the night. He finished with 25 points on 8-of-12 shooting, grabbed eight boards, handed out five assists, and added three steals.
Oh, and he hit the game-winner. Not a bad night.
- Trevor Keels: Flat-out flamethrower.
Keels dropped 38 points on 12-of-18 shooting, including a scorching 8-of-12 from beyond the arc. He also chipped in five assists.
His offensive rhythm was a problem for Sioux Falls all night.
- Keshad Johnson: A two-way force. Johnson poured in 29 points, hit four triples, and nearly had a double-double with nine rebounds. Toss in six assists and two blocks, and you’ve got one of the most complete lines of the night.
- Josh Christopher: The late-game equalizer. Christopher had 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-6 from three. He added five rebounds and four assists and came up clutch when it mattered most.
- Chris Youngblood: Led Sioux Falls with 25 points and eight boards. He was 4-of-10 from three and played a key role in keeping the Skyforce in it until the final seconds.
- Anthony Pritchard: The engine at the point. He posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists, plus five rebounds.
- Nikola Topic: Quiet scoring-wise with seven points, but he moved the ball well and finished with seven assists.
- Vladislav Goldin: Gave the Skyforce some interior presence, putting up 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting with eight boards and two blocks.
Final Take
This was G League basketball at its finest: fast-paced, high-scoring, and full of young talent making their case for the next level. The OKC Blue may be sitting near the bottom of the standings, but Monday night they showed the kind of heart and offensive firepower that can’t be ignored.
And when the game hung in the balance, it was Brooks Barnhizer who stepped up and delivered. That's the kind of moment that sticks with you-and maybe, just maybe, it's the kind of moment that can spark something bigger for OKC.