Shai Gilgeous-Alexander etched his name in NBA history, matching Wilt Chamberlain's streak of scoring 20 points or more in 126 games with a dominant scoring performance and clutch game-winner against the Denver Nuggets.
Wilt Chamberlain's scoring exploits in the NBA are legendary, and it's a rare day when anyone approaches any of his records. But Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did just that on Monday night.
The reigning MVP had one of those crazy MVP nights, scoring 35 points with a career-high 15 assists and zero turnovers, only the second time that's ever happened in an NBA game. He also hit a step-back three-pointer with 3.3 seconds left to help the Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets 129-126.
And when he scored his 20th point, that was 126 games in a row that he's topped that mark. It tied the NBA record set by Chamberlain from 1961 to 1963. He can break the record His streak started way back on Nov. 1, 2024. He can break the record on Thursday night in a home game against the Boston Celtics.
"It's still a lot to even wrap my head around," Gilgeous-Alexander said of tying the record. "To be honest with you, I try not to even think 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."
SGA hit two big three-pointers in the final 14 seconds, and the first one game Oklahoma City a four-point lead, seemingly locking up the game. But on the other end, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic hit a three while Jaylin Williams was simultaneously called for a foul while pushing through a screen by Jamal Murray. He made a free throw to tie the game, so SGA had to hit another three to win it.
Jokic, who won MVPS before Gilgeous-Alexander in 2021, 2022, and 2024, can relate to how special it is to tie a scoring record like this.
"I don't know that people know how hard it is to do that. To make 20 points in 10 (straight) games, not 120 or whatever it is, it's special. He's a special player.''
With the win, the Thunder are now 51-15 on the season, with 16 games to go. They have the best record in the league, three games better than the San Antonio Spurs.