Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a leading candidate for the 2024-25 MVP award after an amazing season. He`s the NBA`s top scorer, averaging 32.6 points per game and leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the best record in the league.
The Thunder`s point guard consistently makes a big impact. Despite Oklahoma City`s recent loss to the Houston Rockets ending their 11-game win streak, Gilgeous-Alexander achieved a personal milestone with a 22-point game. This marked his 70th consecutive game scoring 20 or more points, moving him past Michael Jordan for the third-longest streak in NBA history.
The last time Gilgeous-Alexander scored less than 20 points was on October 30th, the fourth game of the season, where he had 18 points in a win against the Spurs. Since then, he has scored at least 21 points in every game and is now approaching the all-time record.
Two NBA legends are ahead of him: Wilt Chamberlain, who holds the record with 80 straight 20-point games (achieved twice), and Oscar Robertson, second with 76. Robertson`s streak and Chamberlain`s second streak happened in the 1963-64 season. This highlights how unique Gilgeous-Alexander`s scoring consistency is in modern basketball.
With five regular-season games remaining, Gilgeous-Alexander would need to continue his streak into the playoffs, possibly into the second round, to break the NBA record for consecutive 20-point games. The Thunder have already secured the top seed, so Gilgeous-Alexander might get some rest before the playoffs begin.
Maintaining this scoring level in the playoffs isn`t unrealistic for Gilgeous-Alexander, as he scored 24 or more points in all 10 of OKC`s playoff games last season. Another similar playoff performance could put him at the top of this impressive historical list. However, his main focus in the playoffs will undoubtedly be winning an NBA title, as the Thunder are considered among the favorites.
Jasper Hawthorne