Shai Gilgeous-Alexander broke Wilt Chamberlain's record for consecutive games with 20 points or more, extending his streak to 127 on Thursday night as the Thunder beat the Boston Celtics 104-102. The record-breaking moment came when he pump-faked several times and drilled a jumper over Baylor Scheierman from beyond the free-throw line with 7:04 left in the third quarter to push his total to 21.
Chamberlain's previous record of 126 consecutive games with 20+ points lasted from 1961 to 1963, ending on January 20, 1963, when he was ejected after just four minutes. Gilgeous-Alexander's streak began on November 1, 2024, and the Thunder have gone 103-24 during this remarkable run.
The reigning MVP won his first MVP award last season and won the scoring title, currently ranking second in scoring this year. Oklahoma City has the league's best record. Despite the individual achievement, Gilgeous-Alexander remained focused on team success, saying "The streak is the streak, the awards are the awards, but the thing I'm most proud of is winning".
During his streak, Gilgeous-Alexander has finished with exactly 20 points just twice, has scored 30-39 points 62 times, 40-49 points 13 times, and has exceeded 50 points five times. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised his star's mentality: "Human nature is that you have success and you ease a little bit. He's the opposite. He tastes it and wants more".
