MIAMI – The Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back from their recent setback and secured a resounding victory on Monday, surpassing the Memphis Grizzlies with a final score of 119-103. The match was marked by the stellar performance of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who reached a historic milestone in his career.
Gilgeous-Alexander: A Consistent Scorer
Gilgeous-Alexander starred in a memorable game, adding his 100th consecutive game scoring at least 20 points. This achievement positions him as the second player in NBA history to reach this figure, surpassed only by the legend Wilt Chamberlain, who achieved 126 consecutive games between 1961 and 1963.
The guard, recognized as one of the league’s most valuable players, led the Thunder’s attack with 31 points, in addition to adding 10 rebounds and 8 assists, falling just short of a triple-double. Jalen Williams also stood out with 20 points.
The key moment arrived with a characteristic play by Gilgeous-Alexander: a jump shot from the free throw line after a step back, demonstrating his skill and precision.
On the Grizzlies’ side, the offense was distributed among six players who reached double figures. Cedric Coward contributed 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 16 points, with a notable 5-of-6 efficiency from the three-point line.
The Spanish Santi Aldama, after his outstanding previous performance, had a less brilliant night, finishing with 9 points and 7 rebounds, with a 4-of-13 shooting from the field.
The Party’s Development
The triumph of Oklahoma City began to take shape in the final minutes of the second quarter, when they achieved an 18-9 run, consolidating a lead that until that moment was tight. Although Memphis tried to get closer in the last period, getting within four points (101-97) thanks to a three-pointer by Caldwell-Pope, Gilgeous-Alexander and Branden Carlson responded with two consecutive three-pointers that secured the victory.
With this result, the Thunder improve their record to 26-3, avoiding a losing streak after their recent encounter with Minnesota. On the other hand, the Grizzlies, with a record of 13-16, continue to fight for the ‘play-in’, showing a good performance by winning nine of their last 14 games.
