OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault reflected on what makes him special after watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander record his 126th consecutive 20+ point game before draining the game-winning 3-pointer in a 129-126 win against the Denver Nuggets. Gilgeous-Alexander handed the Nuggets their second loss in 10 days, as the shorthanded Thunder extended their winning streak to six.
Without All-Stars Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jalen Williams, Gilgeous-Alexander matched Nikola Jokic's triple-double (32 points, 13 assists, 14 rebounds) with 35 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds. After the win, Daigneault discussed Gilgeous-Alexander's poise and how he thrives under pressure.
Daigneault said, "He never presses. He has incredible situational awareness, awareness of the length of the game; I think that's one of his superpowers." "He understands how long the game is. So, he can make the right plays, knowing he's going to hold his own. If he misses a shot early, he knows there's still more to play. He's always in it mentally. I think that's why he's as consistent as he is."
Jaylin Williams finished with 29 points, including a career-high seven threes, and 12 rebounds. Ajay Mitchell's 24 points led the second unit.
Daigneault said, "I thought his passing tonight was really cool. Even ordinary people weren't supportive." "They doubled him all night. He got over it early, like it happened with Ajay [Mitchell] Even late, Ajay got Hardaway there. It's just a simple game before defense. She played a very good floor game tonight. Obviously, a great finish. A great player.”
Mark Daigneault also saw Gilgeous-Alexander strengthen his case for MVP against Jokic as the Thunder handed the Nuggets their second loss at Paycom Center since a 127–121 overtime win on February 27.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's mic falls off after Thunder's win
Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one 20+ point game away from making NBA history after matching Wilt Chamberlain's 126 consecutive games in a 3-point win against the Nuggets on Monday. After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander discussed his approach against the Nuggets, who threw double-team coverage on the reigning MVP.
However, Gilgeous-Alexander adapted and caught fire in the final minute of the game, draining back-to-back threes, including the game-winning triple.
"I didn't know what I was going to do. I have the answers to the test, but I have to look at the questions first," Gilgeous-Alexander said, referring to the final game. "Once I saw he was to my left and I was going to the right. I think it was Christian Brown who was in the gap. So, I knew if I drove to shoot the middy, it was probably going to be contested. So, I tried to get away from the three, and took a nice, comfortable shot and it went down."
The Thunder will host the Celtics on Thursday.
