Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues his Kia NBA MVP campaign with a career-high 54 points vs. Utah.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 54 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Utah Jazz 123-114 on Wednesday night.
Gilgeous-Alexander made 17-of-35 field goals and 17-of-18 free throws to surpass his previous career best of 45 points. He also had eight rebounds, five assists and three steals. He scored 31 points in the second half and 18 points in the third quarter while his free throws made total was a season high.
This season, Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 40 or more points six times, five of which have come since Dec. 23. That moved him into a tie with Denver Nuggets center (and reigning Kia MVP) Nikola Jokić for the most games with 40-plus points this season.
Jalen Williams added 25 points for the Thunder (36-7), who are tied with Cleveland for the league’s best record.
John Collins had 22 points and 12 rebounds, Collin Sexton had 18 points and nine assists, and Walker Kessler had 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Jazz, who lost their fourth straight.
Utah (10-32), the worst team in the Western Conference, hung tough throughout.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points in the first half to help Oklahoma City take a 57-55 lead at the break. He scored 18 points in the third quarter as the Thunder took a 95-89 lead.
Gilgeous-Alexander took a break to start the final quarter, and the Thunder led 102-99 when he checked back in. He hit a 3-pointer that gave the Thunder a 115-106 lead and secured his career night.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
