OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has removed another line from Wilt Chamberlain’s long list of NBA records. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard scored at least 20 points for the 127th regular-season game in a row on Thursday night, surpassing Chamberlain’s 126-game run that had stood since 1963.
The reigning MVP sealed the mark against the Boston Celtics with a 20-foot jumper at the 7:04 mark of the third quarter, triggering a standing ovation and “MVP” chants inside Paycom Center. Arena staff acknowledged the milestone on the videoboard during the next timeout.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s streak began on Nov. 1, 2024. Entering Friday’s action he was averaging 32.5 points across the stretch, positioning him to become the first player since Michael Jordan to average 30 or more in four straight seasons.
“Human nature is that you have success and you ease a little bit,” head coach Mark Daigneault said before the game. “He’s the opposite. He tastes it and wants more. He goes back for seconds.”
How the record compares
Chamberlain’s previous record started on Oct. 19, 1961 and ended on Jan. 19, 1963 when he was ejected in the first quarter. The Hall of Famer still owns the longest streaks of 30-point games (65), 40-point games (14), 50-point games (7) and 60-point games (4).
Before Gilgeous-Alexander’s current run, Chamberlain also held the second-longest 20-point streak with 92 straight games from Feb. 26, 1963 through Mar. 18, 1964. No other NBA player has reached 80 consecutive 20-point nights; Oscar Robertson’s 79-game stretch is next, while Kevin Durant and Jordan share fifth place at 72.
Close calls
Gilgeous-Alexander has been held to exactly 20 points only twice during the streak, both in one-sided Thunder victories this season. The second instance came on Feb. 3 against the Orlando Magic when, after suffering an abdominal strain, he stayed on the floor long enough to sink a free throw for his 20th point late in the third quarter. He exited on the next possession and missed the following nine games.
Oklahoma City was 102-24 during the record run heading into Friday’s meeting with Boston.
Source: ESPN
