Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads OKC Thunder to Victory Over Boston Celtics
In a challenging matchup against the defending champion Boston Celtics, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder faced the absence of first-time All-Star Jalen Williams. Despite the setback, Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a standout performance, scoring a game-high 34 points to lead the Thunder to a hard-fought 118-112 victory and secure a postseason berth.
The versatile guard-forward carried a heavy scoring load from the start, putting up 11 points in the first quarter as OKC held a slim 33-30 lead. Despite the Celtics’ sharp shooting from beyond the arc with nine made 3-pointers, Gilgeous-Alexander’s offensive prowess kept the Thunder in the game.
The Thunder’s bench also played a crucial role in keeping them competitive during a back-and-forth second quarter, with Boston maintaining their hot shooting streak. Gilgeous-Alexander capped off the first half with a buzzer-beater, marking his 10,000th career point and sending OKC into halftime with a 63-60 advantage.
In the second half, Gilgeous-Alexander continued to make key plays to thwart every Celtics surge. Over the final seven minutes of the fourth quarter, he either scored or assisted on 13 of the Thunder’s last 17 points to seal the victory.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s full stats for the game are as follows:
– Minutes: 38:35
– Points: 34
– Rebounds: 5
– Assists: 7
– Field Goals Made: 11
– Field Goals Attempted: 20
– Field Goal Percentage: 55.0%
– 3-Point Field Goals Made: 2
– 3-Point Field Goals Attempted: 7
– 3-Point Field Goal Percentage: 28.6%
– Free Throws Made: 10
– Free Throws Attempted: 11
– Free Throw Percentage: 90.9%
– Offensive Rebounds: 1
– Defensive Rebounds: 4
– Steals: 1
– Blocks: 0
– Turnovers: 5
– Personal Fouls: 3
The performance of Gilgeous-Alexander drew high praise from OKC Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, who likened the young guard to Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry. Daigneault commended Gilgeous-Alexander’s maturity, character, and steady rise in the league, expressing confidence in the player’s capabilities.
Both Gilgeous-Alexander and Curry were top guards in this year’s All-Star voting and are on track for All-NBA selections, with Gilgeous-Alexander emerging as a frontrunner for MVP honors. The comparison to Curry highlights Gilgeous-Alexander’s potential as a future leader and ambassador for the Thunder franchise.
In conclusion, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s stellar performance against the Boston Celtics showcased his talent, leadership, and potential for greatness in the NBA. His MVP-level play has solidified his status as a rising star in the league, drawing comparisons to established superstars like Steph Curry. The world is currently facing a crisis that has affected every aspect of our lives – the COVID-19 pandemic. As countries struggle to contain the spread of the virus, governments have implemented various measures such as lockdowns, social distancing, and mask mandates to protect their citizens. However, one of the most effective tools in combating the virus is the development and distribution of vaccines.
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