Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander etched his name into NBA history Monday night, equaling Wilt Chamberlain’s seemingly untouchable record of 126 consecutive games scoring at least 20 points. The milestone came during a thrilling 129-126 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, didn’t just reach the scoring plateau; he delivered the game-winning shot with 2.6 seconds remaining, finishing with 35 points and a career-high 15 assists. Jaylin Williams added 29 points for the Thunder, who improved to 51-15 on the season.
The historic night unfolded in the third quarter when Gilgeous-Alexander drained a 3-pointer, securing his 20th, 21st, and 22nd points of the game and tying Chamberlain’s mark. He’ll have the opportunity to surpass the legendary center on Thursday when Oklahoma City hosts the Boston Celtics.
“The name that he is up there with is Wilt,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said before the game, as reported by ESPN. “If you love this game, you should love the history of it. And for him and for Wilt, to talk about him again and again and again on his records — it just says a lot about Shai’s career, the consistency that he’s shown over the years.”
A Duel of Stars, a Historic Night
The game itself was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows throughout the fourth quarter. Nikola Jokić, despite facing physical defense from Luguentz Dort – who was assessed a flagrant foul late in the game, continuing a recent history of physical play between the two – finished with a triple-double of 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists for the Nuggets. Jokić’s late-game heroics, including a clutch three-pointer and a four-point play created by Jamal Murray, nearly forced overtime.
However, Gilgeous-Alexander proved too much to handle down the stretch. After Jokić tied the game, the Thunder star expertly created space with a step-back jumper, silencing the Denver comeback and securing the win. He came just shy of a triple-double, adding nine rebounds to his impressive stat line.
Chamberlain’s Legacy and SGA’s Ascent
Wilt Chamberlain originally set the record between 1961 and 1963, a testament to his unparalleled dominance during that era. His streak ended abruptly due to an early ejection in a game against the St. Louis Hawks. For decades, Chamberlain’s record appeared insurmountable, a relic of a different era of basketball. Before Gilgeous-Alexander’s recent surge, Chamberlain similarly held the second-longest streak with 92 consecutive 20-point games.
The fact that Gilgeous-Alexander is even in conversation with Chamberlain highlights his remarkable consistency and scoring prowess. Michael Jordan, widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, “only” managed a 72-game streak of 20+ point performances.
Beyond Oklahoma City: Other NBA Results from March 9th
The NBA schedule on Monday, March 9th, featured several other notable contests:
- Cleveland Cavaliers 115, Philadelphia 76ers 101: James Harden led the Cavaliers with 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in a win over his former team. The 76ers were without Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, with Quentin Grimes leading the team with 17 points.
- Brooklyn Nets 126, Memphis Grizzlies 116: Day’Ron Sharpe came off the bench to score 19 points in just 18 minutes, leading the Nets to victory. Rayan Rupert paced the Grizzlies with 20 points.
Results for the Warriors-Jazz and Knicks-Clippers games were not immediately available at the time of this report.
What’s Next for Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder?
All eyes will be on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, March 12th, as they face the Boston Celtics at Paycom Center. The game, scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video, will provide Gilgeous-Alexander with the opportunity to break Wilt Chamberlain’s historic record and further cement his place among the NBA’s elite. The Thunder will appear to continue their impressive season and solidify their position as a top contender in the Western Conference.
Fans can follow the Thunder’s progress and get the latest updates on the team’s official website and social media channels. The NBA’s official website ([https://www.nba.com/](https://www.nba.com/)) will also provide coverage of the game and the ongoing pursuit of Chamberlain’s record.
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