Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making an early case to repeat as the NBA's Most Valuable Player.
The Oklahoma City Thunder needed every bit of SGA's brilliance on Thursday night.
For the second consecutive game to begin the season, the Thunder went to double overtime.
For the second consecutive game to begin the season, the Thunder won in double overtime.
This time, it was over the feisty Indiana Pacers, playing their first game of the season and first without Tyrese Haliburton but refusing to go away.
In the end, SGA was too good.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stats tonight
Shai finished with an incredible line:
55 points
8 rebounds
5 assists
2 steals
1 block
15-31 FG
2-7 3FG
23-26 FT
This was a career-high 55 points for SGA.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander free throws
SGA is better at getting to the line than anybody in the NBA.
This night, he shot 23-for-26 from the foul line.
This was career high for him in both free throw attempts and free throw makes.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ties Russell Westbrook record
Russell Westbrook had five games in his Thunder career with at least 50 points.
SGA has now matched that with his fifth career 50-point game.
They're tied atop the OKC record book in that category, with lots of time for Gilgeous-Alexander to claim the top spot for himself.
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