SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER broke the NBA record for consecutive 20-point games by delivering his 127th in a row on Thursday in Oklahoma City’s 104-102 home win over the Boston Celtics.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points on sizzling 13-of-18 shooting from the floor, including 2-of-5 from three-point range, and 7-of-8 from the free throw line while adding nine assists, six rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
NBA / YouTube
“All the records and accomplishments are great, but they don’t matter if you don’t win and that’s all that was on my mind,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, having equalled the record against Denver City on Monday.
“I would have given the record for the W any day of the week. I’m glad we won and I got the record.”
The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player eclipsed the 63-year-old mark of 126 set by NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain when he sank a 20-foot jump shot from the top of the key with 7:04 remaining in the third quarter.
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That gave the 27-year-old Canadian guard 21 points for the game and lifted the reigning NBA champion Thunder level with Boston at 69-69.
The game was decided by Chet Holmgren’s two free throws with 0.8 of a second remaining after being fouled on a rebound, which gave the Thunder the final margin.
Boston had a final chance but Payton Pritchard missed a shot at the buzzer.
The Thunder improved to an NBA-best 52-15 with their seventh consecutive victory, dropping the Celtics to 43-23.
“I’ve been trying to reach my ultimate goal, which is hoisting the trophy,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
“Because that’s all I focus on, everything else takes care of itself. I look up and I’ve accomplished a few things.”
Gilgeous-Alexander’s streak began on November 1, 2024, and since then he has averaged 35.5 points and shot 53.5 percent.
In the streak, Gilgeous-Alexander has delivered all five of his career 50-point games, 18 40-point performances and 85 30-point games.
NBA / YouTube
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 points in the first half, putting himself on the brink of NBA history as the second half began.
He missed a three-point attempt but was later fouled on a drive to the basket and made two free throws to pull within one point of the milestone, setting the stage for his breakthrough basket.
Gilgeous-Alexander was unhappy with only 10 points in the first quarter.
“I was having a terrible game to that point,” he said.
“I didn’t like how I started. I started sluggish. I wanted to focus on getting the car back on the road and make sure we walked out of here with a W.”
– © AFP 2026