Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Continues to Shine with Fourth 50-Point Performance

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s incredible putback basket in the fourth quarter not only sent the Oklahoma City crowd into a frenzy but also marked his fourth 50-point performance in his last 19 games. The Thunder star, known for his calm demeanor on the court, jogged downcourt expressionless, making it seem like hitting the 50-point mark was just another day at the office.

For the Canadian phenom, scoring 50 points has become somewhat routine. “It’s more like getting lost in the process of just competing and playing the game you love,” Gilgeous-Alexander shared. “And then wherever that takes you, it takes you.”

Despite his impressive individual performances, Gilgeous-Alexander’s main focus remains on the team’s success. He led the Thunder to a 137-128 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday, showcasing his versatility and leadership on the court.

With this latest 50-point game, Gilgeous-Alexander joined an elite group of players in NBA history, becoming the 12th player to achieve at least four 50-point games in a single season. His scoring outbursts have propelled Oklahoma City to a Western Conference-leading 50-11 record, with the team boasting a 3-1 record when he scores 50 points or more.

When asked about his scoring milestones, Gilgeous-Alexander humbly stated, “Whether it’s 50, whether it’s 27, whether it’s 17 — as long as we win, I have fun with it. It’s a fun night.”

It took Gilgeous-Alexander 397 career games to reach the 50-point mark, with his first 50-point game coming in a career-high 54-point performance against the Utah Jazz on January 22. He followed it up with a 52-point game against the Golden State Warriors on January 29 and a 50-point outing against the Phoenix Suns on February 5.

Against the Rockets, Gilgeous-Alexander started the game on fire, scoring 20 points in the first quarter alone. Despite his individual brilliance, the Thunder found themselves trailing Houston at the end of the period. Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged that he needed to step up and be more aggressive to lift his team out of their slow start.

By halftime, Gilgeous-Alexander had already amassed 28 points, and he entered the fourth quarter with 45 points. His six crucial points in the final period helped the Thunder secure the win and maintain their spot atop the Western Conference standings.

When reflecting on his scoring prowess, Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized, “You play the game to win. You don’t play the game to score a bunch of points. You don’t play for anything besides to win, and that’s what it’s all about.”