The Oklahoma City Thunder survived a spirited challenge from the Cade Cunningham-less Detroit Pistons, 114-110, thanks to 47 huge points from MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The reigning MVP erupted for 47 points to help the Thunder outlast the Pistons in overtime on Tuesday and become the first team in the NBA to get to 60 wins.
Gilgeous-Alexander was clinical, converting 12 of 19 shots from the field while going 21 of 25 from the free-throw line. In the process, he stretched his NBA record to 136 straight games with at least 20 points—an extraordinary run of consistency.
The Pistons, leaders of the East, were without four of their five usual starters. Cunningham remained sidelined with a collapsed lung, while Jalen Duren (right knee), Tobias Harris (right hip), and Duncan Robinson (right hip) were also unavailable. Key reserve Isaiah Stewart missed the contest due to a left calf strain.
Still, Detroit competed with urgency. Paul Reed delivered 21 points and 10 rebounds, Javonte Green added 19, and Kevin Huerter chipped in 17 to keep the game within reach.
Gilgeous-Alexander Sees Potential Game-Winner Waived Off in Wild Ending
Oklahoma City carried a 79-74 lead into the fourth, but the Pistons surged late. Daniss Jenkins drilled a three to give Detroit a 97-90 advantage with under four minutes to play.
Gilgeous-Alexander answered with six straight points to pull the Thunder within one, and Jaylin Williams, after missing his first five attempts, buried a corner triple to level the score at 99.
The closing moments were chaotic. With the game tied at 101, Gilgeous-Alexander stripped the ball on Detroit’s final possession. He appeared to have hit a go-ahead three, but an offensive foul call wiped it away. Jenkins’ deep attempt at the buzzer missed, sending the contest into overtime.
From there, it was all Gilgeous-Alexander. He accounted for 8 of the Thunder’s 13 points in the extra period, sealing another statement win in what continues to be a dominant campaign.
The Thunder will look to carry momentum on Friday when they take on the Los Angeles Lakers in a potential Western Conference playoff preview. The Pistons, on the other hand, will take on the Toronto Raptors tomorrow.
