OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not only delivering MVP caliber performances; he is achieving historic milestones as well.
On Wednesday night, the talented Canadian guard dropped 50 points, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a decisive 140-109 victory over the Phoenix Suns. With this latest achievement, Gilgeous-Alexander has now become the ninth player in NBA history to eclipse the 50-point barrier three or more times within a seven-game stretch. Notable names on that exclusive list include legends such as Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, and Elgin Baylor.
When asked about joining the ranks of such iconic players, Gilgeous-Alexander remained humble, expressing that while it is a cool milestone, he doesn’t dwell on it. “Those guys have done so many great things with the game,” he remarked. “I’m so far off of that. The most important thing is to know I’m getting better through this process.”
This season has seen Gilgeous-Alexander produce a career-high 54 points against Utah and 52 points in a narrow defeat to Golden State just three games later. He views his scoring success as a result of a larger ambition, which aligns with the Thunder’s aspirations for an NBA title after they advanced to the Western Conference semifinals last season. “Some nights it’s going to look like this, some nights it’s going to look like missed shots,” he acknowledged, emphasizing his desire to push through tough times while aiming for victories.
His focus remains on improving and contributing to the team’s success at the highest level, culminating in the ultimate goal of lifting the championship trophy at the end of the season. During the game, former Thunder star Kevin Durant watched from the sidelines due to an ankle injury. Once a scoring champion and MVP with the Thunder, Durant witnessed the Oklahoma City crowd showering Gilgeous-Alexander with “MVP” chants that once echoed for him.
The first half ended with the Suns in the lead, 63-61, despite Gilgeous-Alexander contributing an impressive 28 points. However, a pivotal moment came in the third quarter when he made a steal and followed it up with a two-handed dunk, propelling Oklahoma City to an 81-65 lead, prompting a timeout from the Suns. Gilgeous-Alexander reached his 50-point milestone with a baseline jumper early in the fourth, extending the Thunder’s lead to 114-84.
Despite his significant accomplishments, including finishing second in the MVP race last season and currently leading the league in scoring, Gilgeous-Alexander believes he is still on the verge of being recognized among the elite players in the league. “You don’t get in those conversations until you win,” he stated. His ultimate focus, he explained, is on achieving victories and championships, believing that all individual accolades will follow as a result.
