The NBA’s leading scorer delivered Monday night in a potential playoff preview.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 51 points for the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 137-128 win over Houston Rockets. With the win, the Thunder improved to 50-11 to cushion their stranglehold of first place in the Western Conference. The 37-24 Rockets remain in fifth place in the West as a potential second-round opponent for the Thunder in the playoffs.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s tally marked his fourth 50-plus point effort of the season, the most in the NBA as he further strengthened his MVP campaign. He got off to a sizzling start with 20 of Oklahoma City’s 30 first-quarter points. He then secured his 50th and 51st points on a putback of a missed Cason Wallace dunk with three minutes remaining in the game.
The bucket increased Oklahoma City’s lead to 132-120 as the Thunder thwarted any Houston hope of a late rally.
Gilgeous-Alexander did damage outside of the scoring column against Houston. He finished with 51 points, seven assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block. He shot 18 of 30 from the field, including a 5-of-9 effort from long distance.
It added up to another stellar performance from the Oklahoma City All-Star who’s the betting favorite to secure his first MVP.
