NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander breaks Wilt's record as Thunder edge Celtics

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, setting the NBA record for consecutive games with 20 or more points, as the Oklahoma City Thunder edged the Boston Celtics 104-102 at home on Thursday.

The reigning MVP extended his streak to 127 consecutive games with at least 20 points, breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s 63-year-old record.

Boston and Jaylen Brown put up a strong fight despite missing key players. Jayson Tatum was out for injury management after returning from a 10-month Achilles tear, and Derrick White missed the game with a right knee contusion. Brown carried the team, finishing with 34 points, seven assists, and six rebounds.

In the final minute, both teams’ stars delivered clutch plays. Gilgeous-Alexander gave Oklahoma City the lead with a pull-up jumper with 29.6 seconds left. Brown quickly tied the game at 102-102 with a turnaround fadeaway.

Gilgeous-Alexander then passed to Alex Caruso for a corner 3-point attempt, but the shot missed. Chet Holmgren grabbed the rebound, was fouled by Sam Hauser, and sank both free throws with 0.8 seconds remaining. Payton Pritchard’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer fell short, sealing the win for the Thunder.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with nine assists, six rebounds, three blocks, and two steals, including 14 points in the fourth quarter. The victory extended Oklahoma City’s winning streak to seven, while the Celtics dropped back-to-back games after a 5-1 run.

He tied and broke the record in the third quarter after scoring 17 points in the first half. With a pair of free throws, he moved within one point of Chamberlain’s mark, then nailed a 20-foot jumper while guarded by Baylor Scheierman to officially set the record, earning a loud cheer from the home crowd.

-Field Level Media/Reuters