SGA’s 51-Point Game Leads Thunder to 50th Win Milestone

SGA’s 51-Point Game Propels Thunder to Milestone 50th Win

In a thrilling display of basketball prowess, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again proved why he is one of the most electrifying players in the NBA today. On Monday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder secured their 50th win of the season by defeating the Houston Rockets 137-128, thanks in large part to Gilgeous-Alexander’s remarkable 51-point performance.

For those keeping track, this marks the fourth time in just seven weeks that Gilgeous-Alexander has reached the 50-point milestone. According to ESPN Research, no other player in the league has managed more than one such game this season. The NBA’s current scoring leader has now scored at least 40 points in a game nine times during the 2024-25 season. His shooting was on point, making 18 of 30 field goals, hitting 5 of 9 from beyond the arc, and sinking all 10 of his free throws.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s latest scoring feat is even more impressive considering that he had never scored 50 points in a game before this season. ESPN Research notes that this is the shortest span in NBA history for a player to record his first four career 50-point games. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised his star player, saying, “I just think he’s got an unbelievable pace to him right now. Where he’s finding his stuff he’s attacking and really hitting the gas on some plays, and then there’s other plays where he’s just letting the defense tell him what to do and moving it to his teammates and it’s allowing for the rest of the team to play really well at the same time as him. So, he deserves a lot of credit.”

But it wasn’t just Gilgeous-Alexander who shone on the court. Jalen Williams added 24 points to the Thunder’s tally, helping to secure the victory. On the other side, the Rockets had standout performances from Cam Whitmore, who matched career highs with 27 points and 11 rebounds, and Reed Sheppard, who added a career-best 25 points.

It’s worth noting that the Rockets were playing without several key players due to injuries, including Alperen Sengun (lower back soreness), Amen Thompson (right shoulder), Dillon Brooks (bruised right knee), Fred VanVleet (strained right ankle), and Tari Eason (lower left leg).

The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Houston taking an early lead of nine points in the second quarter. However, the Thunder rallied back, leading 63-62 at halftime, thanks to 28 points from Gilgeous-Alexander. The third quarter saw Oklahoma City take control, with Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 45 points by the end of the period, and the Thunder leading 102-89 heading into the fourth.

Despite a final push from the Rockets, who closed the gap to six points, the Thunder regained control. Lu Dort’s back-to-back 3-pointers, just 29 seconds apart, extended Oklahoma City’s lead to 120-106, effectively sealing the win.

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 51 points
• Jalen Williams: 24 points
• Cam Whitmore: 27 points, 11 rebounds
• Reed Sheppard: 25 points

As the Thunder celebrate their 50th win of the season, fans and analysts alike are left in awe of Gilgeous-Alexander’s incredible scoring streak. With performances like these, the Thunder are proving to be a formidable force in the league.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.