Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still one of the most underrated young talents in the league today, but he continues to leave a stamp on the Oklahoma City Thunder's record books. While SGA is still not a household name unlike Thunder former players Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, he aligned himself with these superstars in OKC's 102-99 win over the San Antonio Spurs at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-6 Canadian playmaker became only the fifth player in the Thunder/SuperSonics franchise history to record 40 or more points at 22 years old or younger. He joins the Thunder's legendary trio along with Sonics all-time great Spencer Haywood (via ESPN Stats & Info).
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the 5th player in Thunder/SuperSonics history with a 40-point game at age 22 or younger, joining Kevin Durant, Spencer Haywood, James Harden and Russell Westbrook. pic.twitter.com/SpyiQGhNmb
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 25, 2021
Gilgeous-Alexander tallied a career-high 42 points against the Spurs on an impressive 13-for-20 shooting clip from the field along with six made 3-pointers. He also scattered eight boards, four dimes, and one rejection in 38 minutes of play.
While the competitive game came down the wire, SGA's teammate Luguentz Dort made sure his big night did not go for naught, drilling a game-winning triple at the end of regulation to give the Thunder the W. Entering Wednesday's game, Gilgeous-Alexander was averaging 22.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 25 games.
Those numbers are even better than some of the players in the 2021 NBA All-Star Game next month, but it's tough to give SGA the recognition he deserves since the Thunder still flounder near the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 13-19 win-loss slate. But if he continues to play like this in the coming seasons, no doubt the former Kentucky standout will have plenty of chances to be named an All-Star.
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