Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his scoring prowess with 30 points, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a commanding 100-87 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night. Chet Holmgren also contributed significantly, putting up 19 points along with nine rebounds.
This victory marked a significant milestone for Gilgeous-Alexander, as he has now scored 20 or more points in 59 consecutive road games, setting a new record for the longest streak in NBA history. The reigning NBA MVP made his second appearance after recovering from an abdominal strain that kept him sidelined for nine games.
With this win, the defending champion Thunder improved their record to 47-15, placing them just half a game behind the Detroit Pistons for the best record in the league and solidifying their three-game lead over San Antonio in the Western Conference.
On the opposing side, the Mavericks faced a tough night, scoring a season-low and ending their streak of scoring 100 or more points in 41 consecutive games—the longest active streak in the league. With a 21-39 record, Dallas is experiencing significant struggles, having lost their last eight home games and 13 of their last 15. This marks their longest home losing streak since 1993-94.
Caleb Martin led the Mavericks with a season-high 18 points, marking the first time in 65 games that he topped the team’s scoring list. However, the absence of key players like rookie Cooper Flagg, who missed his seventh straight game due to a sprained foot, along with Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington, proved detrimental to Dallas’ performance. Reserve Klay Thompson also did not play in the second half due to soreness.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd mentioned that Flagg is unlikely to return just in time for a highly anticipated game against the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday, where he would have faced his former collegiate fans.
Looking ahead, the Thunder will be heading to Chicago for their next matchup on Tuesday, while the Mavericks embark on a six-game road trip, starting against Charlotte on the same night. Despite their recent struggles, both teams remain focused on improving as the season progresses, with the Thunder aiming to maintain their winning momentum.