BBNBA: SGA Scores 36 as Thunder Extend Win-Streak to Five Games

Something special is brewing in OKC.

Thanks to MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s seventh 30+ point outing in his last eight games, the Oklahoma City Thunder have extended their winning streak to five games. SGA was named Western Conference Player of the Week on Jan. 2.

The streak includes wins against the team with the best record in the West (Timberwolves), the defending champions (Nuggets), and the team with the best record in the NBA (Celtics). Boston entered Tuesday night’s game against OKC 15-1 on the season when all their starters played (Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum, Porzingis). They now fall to 15-2.

Gilgeous-Alexander was extremely efficient Tuesday night, scoring 36 points on 14-22 shooting (3-5 3PT). Along with his 36 points, SGA dished out seven assists and grabbed seven rebounds. Through Oklahoma City’s first 32 games of the season, SGA is averaging 31.2 PPG, 6.3 APG, and 5.7 RPG.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31.2 PPG ranks third in the NBA, behind only reigning MVP Joel Embiid (35.0 PPG) and Luka Doncic (33.4 PPG). SGA currently has the third-highest odds to win the NBA Most Valuable Player Award on FanDuel (+400) behind Joel Embiid (+210) and Nikola Jokic (+270).

& smiling afterwards too lol https://t.co/athp4UosBc pic.twitter.com/LmJFketazP
— Thunder Film Room (@ThunderFilmRoom) January 3, 2024

Cason Wallace played 17 minutes off the bench, scoring five points on 2-3 shooting (1-2 3PT). While that stat line doesn’t jump out of the box score, Wallace continues to receive praise from around the league. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor was just the latest media member to praise the former ‘Cat Tuesday night.

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I can't get over how great Cason Wallace already is for OKC. Automatic corner 3-point shooter. Excellent perimeter defender. Versatile. Knows his role. Plays only 22 minutes per game for the Thunder but capable of so much more when needed.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) January 3, 2024

Fox Drops 30 as Kings Drop Home Game to Hornets

Where the Thunder win streak continues to grow, the Charlotte Hornets finally snapped their 11-game losing streak with a surprising 111-104 win in Sacramento Tuesday night.

P.J. Washington scored 17 points on 7-13 shooting (3-6 3PT) in 29 minutes off the bench. Nick Richards, who continues to improve mightily in his fourth year in the league, scored seven points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Washington, who hit three three-point field goals Tuesday night, moved into fifth place on the Charlotte Hornets’ all-time 3FGM leaderboard.

PJ Washington SOARS in for the two-handed jam 💥

pic.twitter.com/fCdnU5OQPu
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 3, 2024

De’Aaron Fox scored 30 points but had a somewhat rough shooting night, making just 11 of his 25 shots attempted (3-10 3PT). Trey Lyles and Malik Monk failed to make much of an impact off the bench, combining for just 15 points a brutal -23 +/-. Monk shot just 2-7 from the field (2-5 3PT) and was a dreadful -21 +/-.

Other BBNA Stats:

Tyrese Maxey continued his breakout season Tuesday night by scoring 21 points in Philadelphia’s lopsided 110-97 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Maxey shot 50% from the field (6-12) and made 4/7 3PT attempts. He is currently the odds-on favorite to win the NBA Most Improved Award on FanDuel (-270).
Keldon Johnson scored 19 points on 7/16 shooting (1/4 3PT) as the San Antonio Spurs lost again, falling to a dreadful 5-28 on the season. Johnson may be a target for contending teams as the NBA Trade Deadline approaches. The Deadline is Feb. 8.

1/2/2023 BBNBA Statistics:

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	+/-	MIN
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander (OKC)	127-103 W vs BOS	36	14-22 (3-5)	6	7	1	0	0	3	37
De’Aaron Fox (SAC)	104-111 L vs CHA	30	11-25 (3-10)	5	6	1	1	3	4	38
Tyrese Maxey (PHI)	110-97 W vs CHI	21	6-12 (4-7)	1	5	0	0	1	24	29
Keldon Johnson (SAS)	98-106 L @ MEM	19	7-16 (1-4)	6	4	1	1	0	-15	31
P.J. Washington (CHA)	111-104 W @ SAC	17	7-13 (3-6)	4	4	1	0	1	16	29
Trey Lyles (SAC)	104-111 L vs CHA	9	3-6 (3-5)	3	1	0	0	0	-2	17
Nick Richards (CHA)	111-104 W @ SAC	7	3-4 (0-0)	10	1	1	2	2	2	26
Malik Monk (SAC)	104-111 L vs CHA	6	2-7 (2-5)	3	2	0	1	1	-21	20
Cason Wallace (OKC)	127-103 W vs BOS	5	2-3 (1-2)	1	3	1	0	0	-14	17