Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ended his remarkable streak of 20-point games at 141 regular-season contests during the Oklahoma City Thunder's 96-84 victory over the Denver Nuggets. The streak, which began on October 30, 2024, had made him the holder of the longest such run in NBA history, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain. However, with the Thunder leading comfortably, Gilgeous-Alexander chose to step aside with 1:43 remaining in the game, finishing with 17 points.
Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized that his decision was rooted in respect for the game rather than a desire to chase records. "You always treat the game with respect," he stated, expressing confidence in starting another streak in the future. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised his player's perspective, noting the class shown in recognizing when to sub out.
Despite the unusual ending to his scoring streak, Gilgeous-Alexander contributed to the team's success, scoring early in the third quarter to help the Thunder regain momentum. His performance was atypical, as he shot 6 of 19 from the field and failed to score in the first half, marking only the fourth time in 450 games with the Thunder that he went without a field goal in a half.