OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 54 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Utah Jazz 123-114 on Wednesday night.
Gilgeous-Alexander 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.
“It’s always fun I guess to get career highs, always fun to knock things off your list,” he said. “And to have the support of the city behind you is special for sure.”
Gilgeous-Alexander is the first Thunder player with a 50-point game since Russell Westbrook scored 50 in 2017 against the Nuggets, according to ESPN Research. He is also only the fourth player in Thunder history to record 50 points, five rebounds and five assists in a game, joining Westbrook (four times), Kevin Durant and Ray Allen.
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.
Gilgeous-Alexander 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. He then scored his 50th point on a pullup jumper over Lauri Markkanen with 1:28 to go that gave the Thunder a 119-110 lead.
After it was over, Gilgeous-Alexander was content with his performance but thought he could have scored even more.
“I felt like I could’ve had a lot more and I know that’s going to sound very spoiled,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I feel like I didn’t really have that great of a night, left a few on the table, but there’s room to improve and that’s a good thing.”
Jalen Williams added 25 points for the Thunder (36-7), who are tied with Cleveland for the league’s best record.
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.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.