Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a performance for the ages, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a thrilling victory over the Utah Jazz. As highlighted in a tweet, the young guard poured in a career-high 54 points, showcasing his offensive brilliance.
The Tweet read,
“Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a CAREER night in the Thunder’s win over the Jazz 54 points (career-high) 8 rebounds 17-of-35 FG 17-of-18 FT”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a CAREER night in the Thunder's win over the Jazz 🔥
54 points (career-high)
8 rebounds
17-of-35 FG
17-of-18 FT pic.twitter.com/YnRidgYm15— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 23, 2025
Dominating the Court
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s night began with a strong first half, where he scored 23 points to help the Thunder take a 57-55 lead at halftime. His scoring continued in the third quarter, where he added 18 points, pushing the Thunder’s lead to 95-89. Despite taking a break at the start of the final quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander returned to the game and hit a crucial 3-pointer that gave the Thunder a 115-106 lead.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Record-Breaking Performance
Gilgeous-Alexander’s first 50-point game of his career made him only the fourth player in Thunder history to achieve this feat. His previous career-high was 45 points, which he accomplished twice earlier this season against the Los Angeles Clippers and Indiana Pacers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance was reminiscent of Russell Westbrook’s 50-point games, with Westbrook achieving this milestone four times in his career.
Team Effort
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the standout player, the Thunder received contributions from other key players. Jalen Williams added 25 points, and the team collectively overcame the Jazz’s strong rebounding effort, winning the game despite missing injured center Isaiah Hartenstein.
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