Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his remarkable season Monday night, tying a 63-year-old NBA record and then punctuating the achievement with a game-winning 3-pointer against the Denver Nuggets. The reigning MVP matched Wilt Chamberlain’s streak of 126 consecutive games scoring at least 20 points, a mark set between 1961 and 1963, before securing a 129-126 victory with a clutch shot in the final seconds.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance wasn’t just about the record; he finished with 35 points and a career-high 15 assists without a single turnover. This level of efficiency places him in rare company, with ESPN Research noting that LeBron James is the only other player since 1977-78 to achieve at least 35 points and 15 assists with zero turnovers, accomplishing the feat in 2018 while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Toronto Raptors.
The dramatic finish saw Gilgeous-Alexander drill a step-back 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds remaining, capping off a back-and-forth battle with the Nuggets. After a missed desperation heave by Denver’s Aaron Gordon at the buzzer, Gilgeous-Alexander celebrated with an uncharacteristic display of emotion, waving to the home crowd at the Paycom Center. “I don’t even remember what I was saying,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, adding, “It just happened so rapid. Yeah, it usually doesn’t happen, but tonight called for it.”
The Thunder’s victory came just 10 nights after a contentious overtime win against the Nuggets, a game marred by a flagrant 2 foul committed by Oklahoma City wing Luguentz Dort on Nikola Jokic. Monday’s contest saw Jokic post a 32-point, 14-rebound, 13-assist triple-double, but Gilgeous-Alexander proved to be the difference-maker.
Clutch Performance Seals the Win
Gilgeous-Alexander initially appeared to have put the game out of reach with a step-back 3 with 13.9 seconds left, giving the Thunder a four-point lead. However, the Nuggets quickly tied the score after a foul call on Thunder center Jaylin Williams during a Jamal Murray screen. A review confirmed that Jokic had begun his shooting motion before the foul, sending Murray to the free-throw line. This set the stage for Gilgeous-Alexander’s game-winning shot.
Receiving the ball near the half-court logo, Gilgeous-Alexander navigated a double-team from Denver’s Spencer Jones, creating just enough space with a step-back move to launch the winning shot. “Just trusting my operate, and then just reading the defense,” Gilgeous-Alexander explained, noting that the Nuggets were sending two defenders throughout the second half. “Obviously, they were sending two [defenders] basically the whole second half, and I knew if I wanted to obtain an attempt late, I would have to go quick, go fast. And the deeper I drove, the more bodies would come. Yeah, kind of had no choice.”
This marked Gilgeous-Alexander’s third game-winning or tying field goal in the final five seconds of regulation or overtime this season, tied for the most in the league. Over the past five seasons, he has made eight go-ahead buckets in the final 10 seconds, three more than any other player in the NBA.
Historical Significance and Continued Dominance
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised Gilgeous-Alexander’s composure, stating, “Tremendous poise, confidence. He doesn’t change his mindset regardless of the circumstance. He doesn’t break a sweat doing anything.” Gilgeous-Alexander extended his streak of scoring at least 20 points to 126 games with a step-back 3-pointer in the third quarter, beginning November 1, 2024.
Nikola Jokic acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining such a streak, saying, “I don’t know that people know how hard it is to do that. To develop 20 points in 10 [straight] games, not 120 whatever it is, it’s special. He’s a special player.”
Gilgeous-Alexander himself expressed a degree of disbelief at the accomplishment. “It’s still a lot to even wrap my head around,” he said. “To be honest with you, I endeavor not to even feel about it, especially during the season. So much is going on. So many things have to go right for you to get what you ultimately want. That gets 100% of my focus, especially basketball-wise. But obviously, being in a conversation with a guy like that, it’s special. It’s crazy to think that, [considering] where I was 10 years ago, I’d be here today.”
With the regular season nearing its conclusion, Gilgeous-Alexander remains a frontrunner for the MVP award, and his continued excellence will be crucial as the Thunder aim for a deep playoff run. The team will require to monitor his health and manage his workload as they navigate the remainder of the season and the postseason.
What are your thoughts on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic performance? Share your comments below and join the conversation.
