Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one 20+ points shy of Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain's record. It has been over 64 years since Chamberlain scored 20+ points in 126 consecutive games. Gilgeous-Alexander extended his streak to 125 in the Thunder's 104–97 win against the Golden State Warriors, leading his team with 27 points as the defending champions earned their 50th win of the regular season.
According to ESPN's Tim McMahon, Gilgeous-Alexander discussed how much he knows about Chamberlain.
“Not much, other than that he was very impressive,” Gilgeous-Alexander recently told ESPN. "Based on the data, he did what he wanted and how he wanted."
Chamberlain is known for his dominant statistics, including his infamous 100-point performance in 1962, which stands as the most points scored in a single game in NBA history. However, there is no footage.
“To be honest, it almost seems like a mythical creature,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. "it's not real."
Still, Wilt Chamberlain's record of consecutive 20+ point performances remains real, and Gilgeous-Alexander is on the verge of standing next to Chamberlain, a feat it took an NBA player 64 years to reach.
Gilgeous-Alexander surpassed Chamberlain's second-best 20+ point record earlier this season when he scored 26 points in a 123–115 win against the Portland Blazers in December to extend his streak to 94 consecutive games. SGA is averaging 31.6 points per game this season, second best in the NBA this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic duel amid thunder streak
The Thunder's reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will face the runner-up, Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic, as the two leading candidates for this year's award meet for a rematch of last week's overtime thriller. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets in a 127–121 victory.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who returned from an abdominal injury in the overtime win against the Nuggets, will look to extend the Thunder's winning streak to six, tying NBA history with his 126th consecutive 20+ point performance.
