Shai breaks his scoring record after 141 games following a surprising decision

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put an end to one of the most impressive streaks in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder's 96-84 victory over the Denver Nuggets. The Canadian star finished with 17 points and fell below 20 for the first time since October 30, 2024, ending a stretch of 141 consecutive regular-season games that set a record in the competition. However, the end of the mark came with a gesture that stood out as much as his numbers: the player himself requested to be substituted when he felt the game was already decided.

The two-time reigning NBA MVP had scored 32 points in Oklahoma City's win over San Antonio on Tuesday but faced much more difficulty against Denver. Gilgeous-Alexander converted only six of his 19 field goal attempts and experienced a particularly tough first half, missing all seven shots he took.

The Thunder found themselves nine points behind during that stretch. The Canadian avoided going to halftime without scoring thanks to a couple of free throws, something he hadn't done since his rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019.

Gilgeous-Alexander prioritizes the game over his record

The possibility of extending the streak was present until the final minutes. With less than two minutes remaining, Gilgeous-Alexander needed three points to reach the 20-point barrier and keep his historic sequence alive. However, when Oklahoma City led 93-76 with 1 minute and 43 seconds left, the player decided it was time to leave the floor.

“I was going to go back in, but I saw that [the Nuggets] had made substitutions, so I thought we should do that too,” Gilgeous-Alexander commented. “You always have to treat the game with respect.”

His decision surprised given the context, as an individual record of great significance was at stake. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged that his initial intention was to keep him on the floor to give him the opportunity to reach 20 points, but he ended up especially valuing that it was the player who asked to be substituted.

“I think it shows great class and a very wise perspective to say, 'Hey, that's enough. The game requires me to be substituted,'” Daigneault said. “He himself asked for the substitution. Of all the qualities I admire in him, this ranks among the top things I value most about him as a person.”

The coach's reaction reflected that, beyond the streak, Gilgeous-Alexander's decision aligned with the way he understands competition. The Canadian chose to forgo trying to extend the record when he felt the game's development suggested that players from both teams should start leaving the floor.

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An unprecedented first half and a decisive response after the break

The end of the streak was preceded by an unusual offensive performance for Gilgeous-Alexander. He failed to make any of his seven attempts during the first 24 minutes in a first half where the Thunder struggled to control the scoreboard. Nevertheless, the Canadian star found a way to contribute from the free-throw line before changing the course of the game after the break.

This was only the fourth time in his 450 games with Oklahoma City that he finished a half without scoring a field goal. His response came immediately at the start of the third quarter when he scored the Thunder's first basket to bring his team within 48-46.

The game remained close until Ajay Mitchell capped off a layup that put Oklahoma City ahead 64-62. It was the Thunder's first lead since the initial 3-0. From there, the home team found better offensive solutions and ended the third quarter with a six-point lead.

Alex Caruso and Gilgeous-Alexander each hit a three-pointer to put the score at 70-64 at the end of the quarter, a sequence that allowed Oklahoma City to take control of the game. The Canadian reached 17 points with another three-pointer that extended the lead to 93-76 with 1 minute and 44 seconds remaining. Shortly after, during a timeout, he requested to be substituted and did not return to play.

The Thunder secure victory despite their star's poor start

Although Gilgeous-Alexander did not have his usual effectiveness, Oklahoma City found other ways to prevail. Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 21 points, while Chet Holmgren contributed 12 points and 17 rebounds, an important contribution to support the team during challenging moments.

In Denver, Aaron Gordon was the top scorer with 20 points. Nikola Jokic and DeMar DeRozan finished with 13 each in a game where the Nuggets could not stop Oklahoma City's response after the break.

The victory allowed the Thunder to close the game with a 12-point lead, while Gilgeous-Alexander's streak was definitively interrupted at 141 consecutive regular-season games with at least 20 points.

The Canadian thus relinquishes a mark he had held for nearly two years, but his performance also left a significant image: when faced with the choice between pursuing an individual record and respecting the moment of the game, he opted for the latter. A decision that his coach highlighted as one of the personal qualities he admires most about his star.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Shai rompe su récord de anotación tras 141 partidos tras una decisión sorprendente