Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupts for 51 points.
It’s no secret that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having an elite season. The star floor general is posting MVP-caliber numbers while leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to one of the best records in the league. SGA’s rise to the league’s elite hit another milestone in Monday’s win over the Rockets—one that cemented his place in rare company in NBA history.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 51 points (18-30 FG, 5-9 3PT, 10-10 FT), five rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one block across 36 minutes. It was his fourth outing with at least 50 points this season, a milestone he had never achieved in any of his previous six seasons. Even more impressive, all four of his 50-point games have come since Jan. 22, meaning he’s hit that mark in four of his last 19 games.
His four 50-point games tie Kevin Durant for second in franchise history, trailing only Russell Westbrook, who had five 50-piece games while with the club.
Gilgeous-Alexander joins a very exclusive club of players who have registered four (or more) games with at least 50 points in a single season, becoming the 12th player to achieve that feat in league history. He’s now on a list that features all-time greats including Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Elgin Baylor, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Damian Lillard, James Harden and Pete Maravich. He’s also the first Canadian-born player to achieve this feat.
The star guard is averaging 32.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks per contest this season across 60 appearances.