Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is rewriting the record books.
The NBA’s leading scorer delivered yet another historic performance, dropping 51 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-11) past the Houston Rockets in a 137-128 victory on Monday night.
This marks SGA’s fourth 50-point game in the past seven weeks, an NBA record for the shortest span to record four such games. No other player in the league has more than one this season.
SGA’s Record-Breaking Surge
51 points (18-30 FG, 5-9 3PT, 10-10 FT)
Fourth 50-point game in 19 games (NBA record)
Surpasses Dominique Wilkins (44 games), Wilt Chamberlain (56 games), and Michael Jordan (57 games) for fastest first four career 50-point games Gilgeous-Alexander sealed his 50-piece with a putback bucket under three minutes left, extending OKC’s lead to 132-120.
SGA scored 28 of OKC’s 63 first-half points, then torched Houston in the third quarter, pushing his total to 45 as the Thunder entered the final period up 102-89.
Houston rallied late, cutting the deficit to six points, but Lu Dort’s back-to-back threes restored OKC’s double-digit lead, sealing the win.
Other Key Performers
Jalen Williams: 24 points for OKC
Cam Whitmore (HOU): Career-high 27 points, 11 rebounds
Reed Sheppard (HOU): Career-best 25 points
The Rockets (32-28) were severely shorthanded, missing Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet, and Tari Eason due to injuries.
With the win, the Thunder hit the 50-win mark, solidifying their spot atop the Western Conference as SGA continues his MVP-worthy campaign.
Is This the Year for OKC?
At just 25 years old, Gilgeous-Alexander is dominating at an all-time level. If he keeps up this historic pace, the Thunder’s championship aspirations could turn into reality sooner than expected.
