After Adebayo's 83-point outburst, can SGA match that scoring brilliance? His offensive arsenal and free-throw prowess suggest yes, but team dynamics pose a challenge.
The NBA world was stunned Tuesday night when Bam Adebayo erupted for 83 points in a win for the Miami Heat against the Washington Wizards. Performances like that always spark the same question around the league: could another star reach that kind of scoring explosion?
For the Oklahoma City Thunder, it naturally leads to wondering if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could ever have a night where he pushes toward 80 points.
There are definitely reasons to believe it could happen. Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the most complete scorers in basketball today. He can score at the rim, dominate the midrange, knock down threes when needed, and most importantly he consistently gets to the free throw line.
That last part is crucial when it comes to historic scoring nights. Many of the biggest scoring performances in NBA history have been fueled by huge free throw totals, and Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best in the league at drawing contact and converting from the line.
Another factor is how much of the Thunder offense runs through him. The ball is in his hands constantly and he’s often the one initiating the offense late in the shot clock. When a superstar has that kind of offensive responsibility, it opens the door for a massive scoring night if everything lines up. A game that stays competitive deep into the fourth quarter or even goes to overtime could give him the opportunity to pile up points quickly.
Gilgeous-Alexander has also already shown he’s capable of monster performances. His career high is already 55, and those games typically come without him forcing shots or dominating possessions in an unnatural way. If he ever had a night where his jumper was falling at a higher rate than usual while still getting his typical free throw numbers, the scoring total could climb fast.
At the same time, there are strong reasons why a game like that probably won’t happen. The Thunder’s style of play makes it difficult for one player to take that many shots. Oklahoma City has built its identity around ball movement, cutting, and sharing the scoring load.
Even though Gilgeous-Alexander is clearly the engine of the offense, players like Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and the rest of the rotation get plenty of opportunities. The system simply doesn’t revolve around one player taking 40 or 50 shots.
Another factor is coaching philosophy. Head coach Mark Daigneault has consistently prioritized team basketball over individual stat chasing. If a game gets out of hand, the Thunder are much more likely to pull their starters and protect them rather than keep a star in the game to chase history.
Defenses would also adjust quickly. If Gilgeous-Alexander ever started approaching 60 or 70 points, opponents would likely trap him aggressively, deny him the ball, and force other Thunder players to beat them. It becomes extremely difficult to keep scoring once a defense is completely selling out to stop you. And he would pass to the open man because he routinely makes the right play.
Because of all that, it’s possible to imagine a scenario where Gilgeous-Alexander threatens 80 points, but it would require the perfect storm. A competitive game, a red hot shooting night, plenty of free throws, and a coaching decision to keep him on the floor.
Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t need an 80 point game to prove how special he is, but if everything ever aligned, he might be one of the few players in today’s NBA capable of flirting with that number.