SGA ties Wilt, drains clutch 3s in MVP showdown

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had such a masterpiece of a performance Monday night that tying one of Wilt Chamberlain's records was a footnote.

Gilgeous-Alexander punctuated his 126th consecutive game of scoring at least 20 points, matching Chamberlain's record streak set from 1961 to 1963, by swishing a winning step-back 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds remaining to lift the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder to a 129-126 win over their Western Conference rival Denver Nuggets.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points and a career-high 15 assists without committing a turnover, joining another all-time NBA great in an exclusive club. According to ESPN Research, LeBron James is the only other player to record at least 35 points and 15 assists with no turnovers since turnovers became an official statistic in 1977-78, accomplishing the feat while leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a win over the Toronto Raptors on March 21, 2018.

After Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon missed a desperation heave as the final buzzer sounded, Gilgeous-Alexander triumphantly strutted around the Paycom Center court, animatedly waving to the home crowd. It was a rare display of emotion from the usually even-keeled superstar, who had also passionately celebrated his two 3s in the final 14 seconds.

"I don't even remember what I was saying," said Gilgeous-Alexander, who also grabbed nine rebounds in a game that he considered one of the best regular-season performances of his career. "It just happened so fast. Yeah, it usually doesn't happen, but tonight called for it."

Gilgeous-Alexander outdueled three-time MVP Nikola Jokic only 10 nights after the Thunder emerged with an overtime win in a game that featured a fracas following Oklahoma City wing Luguentz Dort's flagrant 2 foul on Jokic. On Monday night, Jokic recorded a 32-point, 14-rebound, 13-assist triple-double, but Gilgeous-Alexander delivered the game's defining moments.

Gilgeous-Alexander drilled what seemed to be a dagger step-back 3 from the top of the arc with 13.9 seconds remaining, putting the Thunder up by four points.

However, the Nuggets tied the score seconds later. Thunder center Jaylin Williams was called for a foul for running through a Jamal Murray screen when Jokic hit a 3. After a review, the officiating crew ruled that Jokic had started his shooting motion when the foul was committed, sending Murray to the line for the tying free throw.

That set the stage for one of the most spectacular clutch moments of Gilgeous-Alexander's career.

Gilgeous-Alexander received the ball near the half-court logo, with Denver's Spencer Jones on his left hip. Gilgeous-Alexander surveyed the floor as he took a few dribbles to the right wing, recognizing that Christian Braun was positioned to help on a drive. Gilgeous-Alexander created just enough space with a step-back move to his right to launch the winner over Jones' outstretched hand, a close facsimile of the dagger Gilgeous-Alexander drilled in Saturday's win over the Golden State Warriors.

"Just trusting my work, first and foremost, and then just reading the defense," said Gilgeous-Alexander, who was 14-of-21 from the floor. "Obviously, they were sending two [defenders] basically the whole second half, and I knew if I wanted to get an attempt late, I would have to go quick, go fast. And the deeper I drove, the more bodies would come. Yeah, kind of had no choice."

It was Gilgeous-Alexander's third tying or go-ahead field goal in the final five seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime this season, tied for the most in the league. He has made eight go-ahead buckets in the final 10 seconds over the past five seasons, three more than any other player.

"Tremendous poise, confidence," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "He doesn't change his mindset regardless of the circumstance. He doesn't break a sweat doing anything."

Gilgeous-Alexander also hit the 20-point milestone on a step-back 3 from the top of the arc. He made that shot with 2:27 remaining in the third quarter, extending a streak that started Nov. 1, 2024.

"I don't know that people know how hard it is to do that," Jokic said. "To make 20 points in 10 [straight] games, not 120 whatever it is, it's special. He's a special player."

Gilgeous-Alexander appreciates the historical significance of his accomplishment, although he has attempted to block it out of his mind.

"It's still a lot to even wrap my head around," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "To be honest with you, I try not to even think about it, especially during the season. So much is going on. So many things have to go right for you to get what you ultimately want. That gets 100% of my focus, especially basketball-wise. But obviously, being in a conversation with a guy like that, it's special. It's crazy to think that, [considering] where I was 10 years ago, I'd be here today."

ESPN's Anthony Slater contributed to this report.