Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander slowed the possession before delivering the shot that changed the final minute Saturday night.
With under a minute left and Oklahoma City Thunder protecting a two-point lead against Golden State Warriors, Gilgeous-Alexander bent forward, placed both hands on his knees, and let several seconds disappear, The Oklahoman reports. Isaiah Joe drifted toward him as if preparing to screen, but Gilgeous-Alexander declined it.
He wanted the matchup alone, with Draymond Green waiting in front of him.
Gilgeous-Alexander dribbled right, created space with a sidestep, and buried a three-pointer over Green that pushed Oklahoma City ahead for good in a 104-97 victory. The shot gave the Thunder their NBA-best 50th win of the season and halted Golden State’s final surge.
After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander explained why the moment carried added value because of who defended him.
“Multiple DPOYs… Defensive Teams. Multiple championships. He’s been the anchor to their championship defense for a decade. You don’t get many better looks than that as an offensive player. It was great. It was fun.”
He then described the thought process behind the possession, saying he trusted a move he has built over time for exactly those moments.
“In those moments, I just try to get to something that I’m comfortable shooting,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Over the years, I’ve tried to kind of work on things and add to that bag that I can go to, no matter where I’m on the floor and no matter which way they’re forcing me. On that play, Draymond was forcing me to my right, so I knew I’d be able to get that shot off regardless.”
“I stepped into it with confidence and shot it. Whether I made it or missed it, I was going to shoot it the same way. Luckily, this time it went in.”
Thunder Regain Control After Costly Third Quarter
Oklahoma City looked sharp early, especially in ball security, but the third quarter created problems that allowed Golden State back into the game.
Jaylin Williams, usually one of Oklahoma City’s steadiest passing big men, turned one possession into an empty trip when he picked up his dribble near the perimeter and sent a pass toward Lu Dort, only for Dort to curl away before the ball arrived. The pass sailed out of bounds.
That play reflected a larger stretch that briefly shifted momentum. The Thunder committed five turnovers in the third quarter after only four in the entire first half. Gilgeous-Alexander also picked up an uncharacteristic travel during that stretch, and Golden State used those mistakes to tighten the score.
Even without Stephen Curry, the Warriors kept pressure on Oklahoma City late and scored seven unanswered points to cut the deficit to 99-97 before Gilgeous-Alexander answered.
Scoring Run Nears Wilt Chamberlain Territory
The dagger capped another efficient scoring night for Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with 27 points and moved within two games of tying one of the league’s oldest records.
He has now scored at least 20 points in 125 consecutive games, leaving him one short of the 126-game streak set by Wilt Chamberlain between 1961 and 1963, per BBC.
The Thunder now prepare for home games against Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics, two matchups that could push both Oklahoma City’s win total and Gilgeous-Alexander’s streak even further.
After the win, Gilgeous-Alexander said the Thunder still measure themselves against last season’s championship standard.
“If we were the best team last year, all year, we win a championship, and we get better, we should put ourselves in great position to repeat,” he said.