標籤: superpower

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.

The Memphis Grizzlies are navigating a franchise reset, but a 21-year-old forward is making the transition to the post-Ja Morant era less challenging than expected. GG Jackson has quietly emerged as one of the most intriguing young pieces in the NBA, and Tuomas Isalo isn’t shy about what makes the former second-round pick (45th overall) so dangerous.

It’s been hard to ignore the former South Carolina standout’s averages of 17.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals/blocks while shooting 47.8% from three-point range since January 31. Jackson was posting almost the same numbers as a rookie in less pressure situations. However, his usage rate (23.3) and three-point volume (4.2 attempts per game) have skyrocketed since the NBA trade deadline, suggesting he may finally be established as an NBA veteran.

“I mean, (Jackson) has made huge strides throughout the season. We already talked about it with GG during his summer league that his superpower is paying off,” Isalo explained. “He’s doing a great job of touching the paint. His efficiency is at a career high right now. How he’s getting things done in those situations is a testament to his hard work.”

That sneaky-good ability to attack the rim with length, touch and growing confidence could prove vital as the Grizzlies transition into a post-Morant, post-Jarren Jackson Jr. era. While the franchise waits for its star guard to return from an elbow injury or chart a new path forward, Jackson’s development offers the glimpse of a permanent scoring punch who may be capable of becoming an offensive center.

Isalo wants a traditional table-setting point guard. Slashers with size to absorb contact at the rim and shooting range should finish games, according to the Finnish tactician. Still, the Grizzlies will need someone to put pressure on defense to finish out this season. EVP Zach Kleiman is getting a lot of data suggesting the former first-round pick is ready for a bigger role and possibly a multi-year contract extension this summer.

“(Jackson) is playing very simple offensively,” Isalo insisted. “He’s playing well off the puck and finding open guys. He’s still got to toggle between aggression and the right amount of patience. Defensively, he’s improved as an attack guard. There’s still some things he needs to do better on the defensive end, being on a string, having defensive awareness, rebounding better for his position, but I think the steps he’s taking are very encouraging, and becoming a real weapon offensively.”

Being a 21-year-old NBA veteran with three seasons of experience is an odd situation to be in in the NCAA’s void/portal era. Jackson had a stellar rookie season last year, capturing a title along with sealing the NBA Play-In Tournament, before taking a back seat to the Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane core. Still, he waited and took advantage of every opportunity. That patience and investment could pay off handsomely for everyone next season.

Isalo’s priority is to see how many superheroes GG Jackson can become. After all he is still years away from his projected peak. A tall, athletic, paint-crashing wing who can stretch the floor and guard multiple positions fits perfectly into the franchise anchor position of the modern NBA. With the addition of Zach Eddy, Santi Aldama, Ty Jerome, Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells and a gem point guard from the 2026 NBA Draft, Memphis will be ready to compete once again.