OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander etched his name into the NBA record books Monday night, tying Wilt Chamberlain’s seemingly untouchable streak of consecutive 20-point games while delivering a clutch, game-winning 3-pointer to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 129-126 victory over the Denver Nuggets. The win marked the Thunder’s third of the season against the defending NBA champions.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points, a career-high 15 assists and nine rebounds in 39 minutes, remarkably without a single turnover. His performance was capped by two crucial 3-pointers in the final 13.9 seconds, the last of which came with 3.3 seconds remaining, breaking a tie and securing the win for Oklahoma City. The reigning MVP’s night wasn’t just about the final shot; it was about reaching a milestone few thought possible in the modern NBA.
Historic Night for Gilgeous-Alexander
With 2:30 left in the third quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander drove to the basket and scored, reaching 20 points for the 126th consecutive game, equaling Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record set from 1961-1963. The moment was briefly contested by Denver’s Christian Braun, who attempted to disrupt the scoring opportunity, but ultimately found himself part of history. “It’s still a lot to even wrap my head around,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, according to reports. “To be honest with you, I try not to even think about it, especially during the season. So much is going on, and so many things have to proceed right for you to get what you ultimately want.”
The significance of matching Chamberlain, a legend whose records often seem insurmountable, wasn’t lost on the Thunder guard. He emphasized his focus remains on team success, but acknowledged the special nature of being mentioned alongside such an iconic player. The game, however, was far from over after the record-tying basket.
A Back-and-Forth Finish
After Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic shot, the game remained a tense affair. Denver, led by Nikola Jokic, battled back to tie the score with 8.5 seconds left. Jokic hit a 3-pointer, and Jamal Murray converted a free throw after a foul. That set the stage for Gilgeous-Alexander’s decisive response. He elevated over Spencer Jones for a step-back 3-pointer, giving the Thunder a three-point lead with just 3.3 seconds on the clock. A last-second heave from Denver’s Aaron Gordon fell short, sealing the victory for Oklahoma City.
The Thunder’s victory was a team effort. Jaylin Williams contributed 29 points, shooting 10-for-17 from the field and 7-for-11 from beyond the arc, adding 12 rebounds. Ajay Mitchell, returning from a 20-game absence due to abdominal strain and a sprained ankle, added a valuable 24 points off the bench.
Jokic’s Triple-Double Not Enough
Despite a dominant performance from Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets fell short. Jokic recorded his 24th triple-double of the season, finishing with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists. Tim Hardaway Jr. Added 28 points, while Aaron Gordon contributed 23 points and 10 rebounds for Denver. However, the Nuggets couldn’t contain Gilgeous-Alexander’s brilliance and the Thunder’s late-game execution.
The Thunder are now 6-0 since Gilgeous-Alexander returned from an abdominal strain that sidelined him for nine games, highlighting his importance to the team’s success. Oklahoma City was without several key players, including Chet Holmgren (illness), Isaiah Hartenstein (bruised left calf), Jalen Williams (strained right hamstring), and Alex Caruso (bruised left hip), making the victory even more impressive.
What’s Next
The Oklahoma City Thunder will continue their season on Wednesday, March 12th, against the Portland Trail Blazers at Paycom Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM CT (UTC-5). The Denver Nuggets will return home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, March 12th, at Ball Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 PM MT (UTC-6).
Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic night and clutch performance will undoubtedly be talked about for days to come. His ability to consistently deliver high-level performances, even while carrying the weight of a record-breaking streak, solidifies his position as one of the NBA’s elite players. The Thunder, despite their injury challenges, are proving to be a formidable force in the Western Conference, and their success is largely due to the exceptional play of their star guard.
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