Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to impress. In the comfortable 122-95 win over Portland, the Thunder All-Star added another gem to his collection: 37 points in three quarters, with a smoothness that would make even a game like basketball – never actually simple – look easy. The defending champion Oklahoma City squad is now flying at 17-1….
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to impress. In the comfortable 122-95 win over Portland, the Thunder All-Star added another gem to his collection: 37 points in three quarters, with a smoothness that would make even a game like basketball – never actually simple – look easy.
The defending champion Oklahoma City squad is now flying at 17-1. The first quarter was a calling card: 39 points scored, 18 allowed, and a 17-point SGA who immediately set the tone. When he starts like that, it’s almost always a long night for anyone on the other side.
For the Blazers, their night in OKC didn’t last long. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put the team on his back and delivered yet another record-level performance. The numbers speak of a legend in the making: the MVP is averaging 32.3 points on 54.3% shooting, 41% from three, and an 89.9% True Shooting through 18 games – despite not playing 11 fourth quarters.
He’s so consistent and his confidence never drops. He has an incredible impact on the team, and he works every single day with unbelievable consistency.
Mark Daigneault
There’s also one stat that captures Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominance better than any adjective: 580 points in 593 minutes. Essentially one point per minute.
A nearly surreal figure, and one that explains why OKC hasn’t felt any urgency to rush the returns of the injured Jalen and Kenrich Williams. Coach Mark Daigneault made that clear.
We’re always cautious with our players’ health. If we need to wait another day, another week, or another game to get a more complete version of a player – a version that’s more physically sustainable – we’ll always do that. Those decisions have nothing to do with team performance, depth, or anything else.
Mark Daigneault
Against Portland, Ajay Mitchell went a perfect 8-for-8 from the field for 20 points, while Isaiah Joe brought energy and scoring off the bench. The defense limited Deni Avdija – decisive in the Thunder’s only loss of the season – holding him to 11 points this time.
Now OKC gets two days to breathe before facing Minnesota. But one thing is already clear: as long as SGA plays with this kind of fierce grace, the Thunder will remain the favorites to go all the way.
