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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26) erupted for a career-high 54 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder overpowered the Utah Jazz 123-114 on Wednesday. Gilgeous-Alexander bagged the first 50-point game of his career with a dazzling all-round performance that included eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks.
The virtuoso display from a player that many consider the front-runner for this season's Most Valuable Player award proved decisive in a contest that saw 16 lead changes. The win leaves Oklahoma City on top of the Western Conference with a 36-7 record. Gilgeous-Alexander sought to play down his strong night following the win. "I just tried to be aggressive, tried to make the right basketball play and then from there just trust the work - it was no different from any other night," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "I had a few more points tonight, but it was nothing special."
Gilgeous-Alexander received offensive support from Jalen Williams, who chipped in with 25 points, while Cason Wallace added 13 off the bench. John Collins led the Utah scoring with 22 points. Utah slipped to 10-32 with the loss and remain rooted to the foot of the Western Conference standings. Elsewhere on Wednesday, a thrilling finish in Houston saw Eastern Conference pace-setters Cleveland stumble to a 108-109 defeat to the Rockets.
The Cavaliers looked to have taken a grip on the game in the fourth quarter, rattling off 19 unanswered points before taking a six-point lead with less than four minutes remaining. Houston fought back however and knotted the score at 107-107 with five seconds remaining. Two free throws from Turkish international Alperen Sengun then put Houston ahead. But there was still time for one final twist after Tari Eason lunged in for a rash challenge as Darius Garland attempted a game-winning three-pointer.
That sent Garland to the free throw line with a chance to win the game with only three seconds remaining, but Garland missed his first two free throws and Houston escaped. The Rockets are now 29-14 and second in the Western Conference standings.
