Mar 11, 2026
3 min read
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied the NBA record for most consecutive 20-point games during OKC's 129-126 win over Denver.Here are the conclusions.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Sparks Thunder Past Nuggets, Ties NBA MVP Night Record
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spent most of the third quarter with his hand on his chest.
It belongs to Denver's Christian Brown, who had no intention of becoming a footnote in the record books Monday night.The guy who let Gilgeous-Alexander score tied Wilt Chamberlain for the most consecutive 20-point games in NBA history (126).
But in the end, Brown still played a hand in the historic moment.And it came to the 2:30 mark.
Gilgeous-Alexander broke away from Braun on a layup from above the arc and drained a 3-pointer.It found the bottom of the net, giving him 22 points and a share of the record since 1963.
"There's still a lot to wrap my head around," said Gilgeous-Alexander. "To be honest with you, I try not to think about it, especially during the season. There's so much going on and so many things that have to go right for you to achieve what you want. That takes 100% of my focus, especially on basketball. But obviously talking to someone like (Chamberlain) is something special."
Of course, the match continued after the Gilgeous-Alexander storyline.And he was right that it ended OKC's 129-126 victory over the Nuggets at the Paycom Center.
Gilgeous-Alexander buried two 3-pointers in the final 13.9 seconds.The final tied the score with 3.3 seconds left as he beat Spencer Jones with a step from the right wing before connecting from deep.
It was capped off by a stellar performance by Gilges-Alexander.The reigning MVP had 35 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds in 39 minutes.He went 14-for-21 (3-for-7) from the field with no turnovers.
“Tremendous poise and confidence,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said of Gilgeous-Alexander."He doesn't change his mentality no matter the circumstances. He doesn't sweat anything. It was a fantastic performance, not just along the pitch, but also in controlling the game and the combination of attacking and passing."
Gilgeous-Alexander can claim the record only when OKC (51-15) hosts Boston at 8:30 p.m.CT Thursday.
Here are three takeaways from the victory:
Order Aaron Gordon's new book about the Thunder's road to the NBA title, the Nuggets hit the ground running
The last time Aaron Gordon played in the Paycom Center, he could barely move.
The rookie was dominant in the second round against OKC, but was hampered by a Grade 2 left hamstring strain during Game 7. He tried to pull it off, and his legs weren't under him in 25 minutes of action.
But Gordon was back on the same field Monday, and he hit the ground running.
In the first 7 minutes of the game, Gordon made 5 of 6 shots and scored 19 points. He then turned back and dunked, giving the Nuggets a 29-17 lead, ending his scoring.
Gordon took advantage early against an undersized OKC team.The Thunder were without all 7 players: Chet Holmgren (flu), Isaiah Hartenstein (left calf contusion) and Branden Carlson (lower back strain).
But OKC eventually brought Gordon to the finals and took control of the match.He finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Ajay Mitchell shows no signs of rust in his glorious comeback
Ajay Mitchell didn't just jump on the bandwagon after missing the last 20 games with a combination of an abdominal strain and a sprained left ankle.
He put Seaduma back on the road.
OKC trailed 20-8 with 7:07 left in the opening quarter when the sophomore quarterback started his first game since Jan. 21. And he quickly took over as the offensive engine.
Mitchell ravaged the field with his long range shot.He showed patience during his mid-range pull-ups.And confidently hit the edge with tricky moves.
In a situation where most players would fold, Mitchell shined.He had 24 points and 3 assists on 9-of-16 shooting from the field (1-of-4 from deep) in 29 minutes.
"I felt pretty good," Mitchell said."I definitely felt like I still needed to get that burst back and that feeling back. But honestly, I felt pretty good out there."
Jaylin Williams played his heart out
Jaylin Williams spent the entire night beating his chest.
But after sinking a tough reverse layup with 5:25 left in the game, the big man didn't celebrate after Denver called a timeout.He just stood exhausted in the paint as his chest heaved with each deep breath.
That's what happens when you take your heart out.
On a night when OKC was lacking in the front court, Williams came up big.And he did it on both ends of the floor, from fighting for the boards to protecting the rim to setting screens to knocking down 3-pointers.
Williams filled the table with 29 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks on 10-for-17 shooting in 40 minutes.He hit a career-high seven 3-pointers on 11 attempts.
"Honestly, I'm just going to compete," Williams said. Whether it's rebounding, shooting, defense, passing or whatever, I'm going to give it my all."
n Nikola Jokic had a triple-double for the Nuggets with a team-high 32 points on 12-of-19 shooting, with 14 rebounds and 13 assists.
■ Lou Dort was called for 1 foul late in the fourth quarter.With 1:12 left and OKC running around a screen, he caught Jokic in the face.
▪ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points and 15 assists on Monday.He became the second player in NBA history to record 35 points and 15 assists with zero turnovers.
∎ OKC is without Branden Karlsson (back strain), Alex Caruso (kiwa hip contusion), Isaiah Hartenstein (kiwa sprain contusion), Chet Holmgren (flu), Thomas Sorber (tengen ACL surgery recovery) and Jalen Williams (tengen hamstring strain).
Denver without DaRon Holmes II (G League assignment), Curtis Jones (G League two-way), KJ Simpson (G League two-way) and Peyton Watson (right hamstring injury).
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and the NBA for ChicagoGot a story idea for Justin?He can be reached at @jmartinez or @justinhopes on TwitterSubscribe to Thunder Sports Minutes to access financial news and more NBA coverageSupport Justin's work and the work of other journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
Thunder vs Celtics
ADVICE: at 8:30 p.m.Thursday at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City (Prime Video)
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