Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 54 points, an NBA single-game record by a Canadian, and the hometown Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Utah Jazz 123-114 on Wednesday night.
The Hamilton native made 17 of 35 field goals and 17 of 18 free throws to surpass his previous career best of 45 points. He also had eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, tops the league with 32 points per game, is considered an MVP favourite and big reason why the Thunder (36-7) are tied for the best record with Cleveland.
On Feb. 19, 2021, Jamal Murray of Kitchener, Ont., scored a career-high 50 points to lead the victorious Denver Nuggets, becoming the first player in NBA history to get that many without trying a free throw.
Shai. Gilgeous. Alexander. <br><br>New career high 🚨 <a href=”https://t.co/jsTXYu6rVT”>pic.twitter.com/jsTXYu6rVT</a>
—@CanBball
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points in the first half to help Oklahoma City take a 57-55 lead at the break. He scored 18 points in the third quarter as the Thunder took a 95-89 lead.
The six-foot-six point guard took a break to start the final quarter, and the Thunder led 102-99 when he checked back in. He hit a 3-pointer that gave the Thunder a 115-106 lead and secured his career night.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored his 50th point on a pullup jumper over Lauri Markkanen with 1:28 to go that gave the Thunder a 119-110 lead.
Jalen Williams added 25 points on Wednesday.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on scoring 54 points in front of thousands of Thunder fans & hearing MVP chants at the Paycom Center <a href=”https://t.co/qp18Q83oA8″>pic.twitter.com/qp18Q83oA8</a>
—@Joe_Sway
John Collins had 22 points and 12 rebounds, Collin Sexton had 18 points and nine assists, and Walker Kessler had 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Jazz, who lost their fourth straight.
Utah (10-32), the worst team in the Western Conference, hung tough throughout.
WATCH | Murray scores career-high 50 points on Feb. 19, 2021:
Jamal Murray of Kitchener, Ont., leads Denver to 120-103 victory over Cleveland by scoring a career-high 50 points.