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The reigning NBA MVP surpassed the 63-year-old record of 126 straight 20-point games set by NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain during Oklahoma City’s 104-102 win against Boston Celtics.
Oklahoma City Thunder players pour water on Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set a new NBA record for consecutive 20-point games by achieving his 127th straight on Thursday in Oklahoma City’s 104-102 home win against the Boston Celtics.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, hitting 13 of 18 shots, including 2 of 5 from three-point range, and 7 of 8 from the free throw line. He also contributed nine assists, six rebounds, three blocks, and two steals.
“All the records and accomplishments are great, but they don’t matter if you don’t win and that’s all that was on my mind,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “I would have given the record for the W any day of the week. I’m glad we won and I got the record.”
The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player surpassed the 63-year-old record of 126 set by NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain when he made a 20-foot jump shot from the top of the key with 7:04 left in the third quarter. This shot gave the 27-year-old Canadian guard 21 points for the game, tying the reigning NBA champion Thunder with Boston at 69-69.
The game’s final decision came when Chet Holmgren made two free throws with 0.8 seconds left after being fouled on a rebound, securing the Thunder’s win. Boston had one last chance, but Payton Pritchard missed a shot at the buzzer.
The Thunder, with their seventh consecutive win, improved to an NBA-best 52-15, while the Celtics dropped to 43-23.
“I’ve been trying to reach my ultimate goal, which is hoisting the trophy,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Because that’s all I focus on, everything else takes care of itself. I look up and I’ve accomplished a few things.”
Gilgeous-Alexander’s streak began on November 1, 2024, during which he has averaged 35.5 points and shot 53.5 percent. Throughout this streak, he has had five career 50-point games, 18 40-point games, and 85 30-point games.
He scored 17 points in the first half, nearing NBA history as the second half began. After missing a three-point attempt, he was fouled on a drive to the basket and made two free throws, putting him one point away from the milestone before scoring his record-breaking basket.
Reflecting on his performance, Gilgeous-Alexander said, “I was having a terrible game up to that point. I didn’t like how I started. I started sluggish. I wanted to focus on getting the car back on the road and make sure we walked out of here with a W.”
In other games, Victor Wembanyama was sidelined by a sore right ankle for the San Antonio Spurs, spoiling a big-man matchup with Denver’s Nikola Jokic, who recorded a triple-double with 31 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists in the Nuggets’ 136-131 victory. Despite 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists from Stephon Castle, the Spurs’ five-game win streak ended as he missed a tying three-point attempt with 19.8 seconds remaining. Jamal Murray, who scored 39 points, secured Denver’s win with four late free throws.
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic scored 51 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and made nine assists in a 142-130 home victory over Chicago.
In Indiana, Devin Booker scored 43 points and Jalen Green added 36 to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 123-108 win over the Pacers, extending Indiana’s losing streak to 11 games.
Eastern Conference leader Detroit (47-18) got a game-high 19 points from Duncan Robinson and 14 points with 10 rebounds in 15 minutes from Jalen Duren in a 131-109 home rout of Philadelphia.
Atlanta extended its win streak to eight games with a 108-97 home victory over Brooklyn, led by Jalen Johnson with 21 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.
Swedish guard Pelle Larsson scored 28 points as the Miami Heat won their seventh consecutive game, defeating visiting Milwaukee 112-105.
The Orlando Magic increased their win streak to six games with a 136-131 overtime home win over Washington, with Jalen Suggs finishing with 28 points and Tristan da Silva adding 26.
(With Inputs From Agencies)
United States of America (USA)
March 13, 2026, 12:40 IST
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