usatoday
The Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander saw his historic run of 20-point performances come to an end on Thursday, Oct. 22, during a 96-84 victory over the Denver Nuggets. The superstar guard, who was the league's MVP last season, finished with 17 points, snapping a streak of 141 straight games scoring 20 or more—the longest such streak in NBA history.
Gilgeous-Alexander's first half was particularly quiet; he did not make a single field goal and managed only two points from the free-throw line before intermission. His first basket came on a jumper with 11:32 remaining in the third quarter, and he later connected on a crucial 3-pointer at the buzzer of that period. That shot gave him seven points and pushed the Thunder ahead 70-64 after they had trailed by as many as nine points.
In the fourth quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander attempted to reach the 20-point mark again, but his 3-pointer with 1:44 left prompted a Nuggets timeout, and when play resumed, both teams had substituted all five players on the court, primarily the starters. The last time he scored fewer than 20 points was nearly two years ago, on Oct. 30, 2024, when he had 18 in a 105-93 win over the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama. Oklahoma City went on to win the 2025 NBA Finals that season.
Earlier in the 2026-27 season, the Thunder opened with a 116-104 victory over the Spurs, during which Gilgeous-Alexander posted 32 points, six rebounds, and four assists. He was also ranked as the top player in USA TODAY's preseason list of the top 100 players in the league.
Key Analysis
The end of Gilgeous-Alexander's streak highlights the remarkable consistency he has displayed over the past two seasons, but it also underscores the unpredictable nature of even the most elite performers. Despite the off night, his ability to contribute in other ways—such as his key third-quarter shot that shifted momentum—demonstrates why he remains a central figure in Oklahoma City's success. The Thunder's balanced attack and depth were evident as they secured the win even without a typical scoring explosion from their star.
Originally reported by usatoday.