Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s record scoring streak ended during Oklahoma City’s 96–84 victory over Denver at Paycom Center on October 22, 2026. He finished with 17 points, bringing his run of consecutive regular-season games with at least 20 to a close at 141.
The ending came with time still available. After a late three-pointer lifted him to 17, the Thunder were ahead by 17 points. Gilgeous-Alexander asked to come out, leaving himself three points short of extending the longest such streak in NBA history.
A difficult start, then a late surge
The NBA’s official box score records a 6-for-19 shooting night. His first half had been especially difficult: he missed all seven field-goal attempts and reached halftime with only two points, both from free throws. A routine scoring milestone suddenly looked much less certain.
As Yahoo Sports’ account of the game explains, he recovered enough to give himself a chance. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, including the late three-pointer that brought him within one more successful shot from beyond the arc of reaching 20.
That three-pointer made the score 93–76. Denver called timeout, and when Gilgeous-Alexander saw that the Nuggets had removed their starters, he decided to stay on the bench. He was substituted with 1:43 remaining, and his total stayed at 17.
The decision that settled the record
Associated Press reporter Tim Reynolds describes coach Mark Daigneault’s willingness to leave his guard on the floor for another opportunity. Gilgeous-Alexander instead chose to follow Denver’s substitutions. His explanation afterward centered on respecting the game once the opposing starters had been withdrawn.
That distinction matters to the story. The clock had not expired, and three points were still mathematically possible. The streak ended after Gilgeous-Alexander made a decision about the closing possessions of a game Oklahoma City already controlled.
Nearly two years of clearing the same bar
The run began on November 1, 2024. Over the following 141 regular-season appearances, Gilgeous-Alexander kept reaching at least 20 points, eventually overtaking Wilt Chamberlain’s previous record. As NBA writer Shaun Powell’s analysis emphasizes, even an otherwise respectable 19-point night would have ended it.
It is specifically a regular-season record. The 141 represents consecutive appearances in that competition, rather than every game played across the regular season and playoffs. Keeping that boundary clear is essential when describing the length of the achievement.
Oklahoma City still improved to 2–0. Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 21 points, while Chet Holmgren supplied 12 points and 17 rebounds. Gilgeous-Alexander left with the team victory secured, even though his extraordinary individual sequence would need to begin again.
Sources and further reading
- NBA: Shaun Powell’s game analysis
- Associated Press via KSL: Tim Reynolds on the streak
- Yahoo Sports: Kari Anderson on the final minutes
- NBA: official Nuggets–Thunder box score
