OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander etched his name into the NBA record books Monday night, equaling Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary streak of 126 consecutive games scoring at least 20 points. The reigning MVP achieved the milestone during a thrilling 129-126 victory over the Denver Nuggets, capping off a masterful performance with a clutch game-winning shot.
Gilgeous-Alexander reached the 20-point threshold with a third-quarter three-pointer, sending a ripple of excitement through the Paycom Center crowd. He finished the night with 35 points, 15 assists, and nine rebounds, shooting an efficient 14-of-21 from the field. But it was his final basket – a step-back three-pointer with 3.3 seconds remaining – that sealed the win for the Thunder, currently boasting the NBA’s best record at 51-15.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, punctuated by a rare four-point play from the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray late in the fourth quarter. Though, Gilgeous-Alexander remained unfazed, calmly creating space and delivering the decisive shot. “It’s still a lot to even wrap my head around,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, reflecting on the historic achievement. “To be honest with you, I strive not to even think about it, especially during the season. So much is going on, and so many things have to go right for you to get what you ultimately want.”
Chamberlain originally established the record between 1961 and 1963, a period defined by his unparalleled dominance. During the 1961-62 season with the Philadelphia Warriors, he scored at least 20 points in every game, including his iconic 100-point performance. The streak ended on January 20, 1963, when Chamberlain played only four minutes for the San Francisco Warriors against the St. Louis Hawks.
The Thunder’s victory wasn’t solely built on Gilgeous-Alexander’s brilliance. Jaylin Williams contributed a strong performance with 29 points and 12 rebounds, while Ajay Mitchell added 24 points off the bench. Oklahoma City’s balanced attack and tenacious defense proved too much for the Nuggets, despite a valiant effort led by Jokić, who recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists.
Denver’s Jamal Murray added 21 points and eight rebounds, and Tim Hardaway Jr. Chipped in with 28 points on eight three-pointers. However, even their combined efforts couldn’t overcome Gilgeous-Alexander’s heroics and the Thunder’s overall team performance. The Nuggets now stand at 39-26 following the loss, their second consecutive defeat.
The significance of Gilgeous-Alexander’s accomplishment extends beyond the numbers. As Nuggets coach David Adelman noted before the game, “The name that’s up there is Wilt. If you love this game, you should love his history. And that, both for him and for Wilt, his records are talked about again and again and again… says a lot about Shai’s career, the consistency he’s shown over the years.”
Gilgeous-Alexander has five games with at least 50 points during this streak, including a career-high 55 against the Indiana Pacers earlier this season. He hasn’t scored fewer than 20 points since October 30, 2024, when he had 18 against the San Antonio Spurs. This consistency is a testament to his all-around game and his ability to consistently impact the score sheet.
The opportunity to surpass Chamberlain and claim the record outright arrives Thursday, when the Thunder host the Boston Celtics. That game promises to be another high-stakes matchup, with Gilgeous-Alexander poised to make even more history. The Celtics game is scheduled for 8:00 PM UTC at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
For fans eager to follow Gilgeous-Alexander’s pursuit of the record, the Thunder’s schedule and game updates can be found on the official NBA website. The league provides real-time scores, statistics, and news coverage throughout the season.
Key Takeaways:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record for consecutive 20-point games at 126.
- Gilgeous-Alexander sealed the Thunder’s 129-126 victory over the Nuggets with a game-winning three-pointer.
- The Thunder now hold the NBA’s best record at 51-15.
- Gilgeous-Alexander has an opportunity to break the record Thursday against the Boston Celtics.
What do you think? Will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander break Wilt Chamberlain’s record on Thursday? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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