Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has tied the legendary Wilt Chamberlain’s record by scoring at least 20 points in 126 consecutive games. This milestone was reached Monday night during a game against the Denver Nuggets, with Gilgeous-Alexander hitting a 3-pointer late in the third quarter to bring his total to 22 points.
The current streak allows Gilgeous-Alexander to potentially break the record in the upcoming Thursday home game against the Boston Celtics. Wilt Chamberlain originally set this mark between 1961 and 1963, scoring 20 or more points in every game throughout the 1961-62 season with the Philadelphia Warriors, which included his historic 100-point game.
Context Around Chamberlain’s Legendary Streak
Wilt Chamberlain’s streak ended on January 20, 1963, when he played only four minutes for the San Francisco Warriors in a matchup against the St. Louis Hawks. Chamberlain’s pace over that stretch remains one of the most remarkable scoring achievements in NBA history.
Before Monday’s game, Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman reflected on Gilgeous-Alexander’s place among the basketball greats, saying,
“The name that he is up there with is Wilt.”
Adelman added,
“If you love this game, you should love the history of it. And for him and for Wilt, to talk about him again and again and again on his records — it just says a lot about Shai’s career, the consistency that he’s shown over the years.”
Details Behind Gilgeous-Alexander’s Consistent Performances
Throughout the streak, Gilgeous-Alexander has recorded five games with at least 50 points, including a career-high 55 points against the Indiana Pacers earlier this season. The last time he scored fewer than 20 points was on October 30, 2024, when he posted 18 points against the San Antonio Spurs.
During Monday’s game, Gilgeous-Alexander had 17 points in the first half and chose to pass the ball to teammate Isaiah Joe for a 3-pointer at the buzzer rather than tying the record himself at that moment. This assist helped the Thunder take a 66-60 lead going into halftime.
Implications and What Lies Ahead
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to maintain such a high level of scoring consistency highlights his importance to the Oklahoma City Thunder and the NBA landscape. As he approaches breaking one of basketball’s longstanding records, his performances remain a testament to his skill, resilience, and dedication to the sport. The upcoming game against the Boston Celtics presents an opportunity to surpass Wilt Chamberlain’s iconic mark and solidify his legacy in NBA history.
