By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a signature moment on Monday at Paycom Center, hitting a step-back three-pointer with 2.7 seconds remaining to secure a 129-126 victory for the Oklahoma City Thunder over the Denver Nuggets.
Beyond the game-winner, SGA finished with 35 points, marking his 126th consecutive game with at least 20 points. This feat saw him match the all-time NBA record held by Wilt Chamberlain. “I don’t know if people understand how hard it is to do that,” noted Serbian superstar Nikola Jokic in a postgame media session. “It’s special, and he’s a special player. It’s a pleasure and privilege to battle against him.”
The Joker nearly carried Denver to victory himself, recording his 24th triple-double of the 2025-26 Regular Season with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists. Reflecting on the final play, Jokic said on the Canadian guard: “He’s an amazing player. He made some big shots, which he’s been doing the whole season. Someone’s going to say it was a tough shot, but he’s making those.”
Nuggets head coach David Adelman felt the defense on the final possession was solid. “Aaron came to trap him. He went away from the trap. He hit a hell of a shot,” he stated. “I thought it was well contested.”
Lasting six minutes for the visitors, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas had two points.
Returning from a long spell on the sidelines due to an abdominal strain and ankle sprain, Belgian Ajay Mitchell provided a massive spark for the Thunder with 24 points in 29 minutes. “I still need to get that burst, that flow back, but, honestly, it felt pretty good out there,” explained the 23-year-old guard after missing the previous 20 games since late January.
However, Serbia’s Nikola Topic did not see game action for the team coached by Mark Daigneault, and Germany’s Isaiah Hartenstein (left calf contusion) remained sidelined.