BBNBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drops 37 in back-to-back games
Planet Earth must have been off its orbit on Monday this week because Shai Gilgeous-Alexander somehow managed to score fewer than 30 points in an NBA game. Don’t worry, though. SGA got everyone’s favorite blue marble back on its axis as he followed up his woeful 20-point outing with back-to-back 37-point games.
Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 37 on Thursday in OKC’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday and then had yet another 37 points against the Tyler Herro-less Miami Heat on Friday. With the Thunder’s win and Minnesota Timberwolves’ loss, Oklahoma City now owns sole possession of first place atop the Western Conference.
Three of SGA’s 37 points came in the clutch as he drilled a shot from behind the arc in the closing minutes. To add to his MVP resume, he is shooting 58.8 percent from the field in the clutch this season, good for best in the league.
Another contributing factor to the win was what Bam Adebayo did, or in this case, did not do. Bam struggled from the field on Friday, shooting just 1-9 and finishing with just five points. Similarly, rookie Cason Wallace couldn’t seem to buy a bucket for OKC, shooting just 1-4 from the field for three points.
Anthony Davis injures shoulder in Lakers’ win
Anthony Davis notched a double-double in the Los Angeles Lakers’ dramatic win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. His 20 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks were enough to get the job done at home, but all eyes will be on the Brow’s shoulder moving forward. Davis attempted to take a charge from Giannis Antetokounmpo, and paid the price, as he left the game favoring his shoulder.
To add insult to injury, not only was he called for the block, but also his teammate goaltended the field goal attempt, giving Giannis a three-point play. Davis re-entered the game but was clearly not 100 percent.
The Lakers were without LeBron James, who was a last-minute scratch. Team Hollywood is in 10th place in the West and fighting for a slot in the play-in games. Simply put, they’ll need a healthy AD to make that happen.
Other BBNBA Notes:
- Nick Richards recorded his 14th double-double of the season on Friday, scoring 10 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, but the Charlotte Hornets lost to the Washington Wizards in the NBA’s version of a pillow fight, 100-112.
- Ashton Hagans continues to get meaningful NBA minutes for the Portland Trail Blazers. They may have lost 10 of their last 12, but Hagans is getting a chance to prove himself at the highest level. He had five points
- It may be the G-League, but Hamidou Diallo threw down a monster dunk on a breakaway Friday night. It’s worth a peek on the website formerly known as Twitter.
BBNBA Stats for 3/8/2024
| Player | Score | PTS | FG (3PT) | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | P/M | MIN |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) | 107-100 W vs. MIA | 37 | 13-25 (2-7) | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +17 | 36 |
| Anthony Davis (LAL) | 123-122 W vs. MIL | 22 | 10-21 (0-1) | 13 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -3 | 41 |
| Nick Richards (CHA) | 100-112 L vs. WAS | 10 | 5-6 (0-0) | 13 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | -15 | 30 |
| Ashton Hagans (POR) | 107-123 L vs. HOU | 6 | 2-6 (1-2) | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -11 | 18 |
| Bam Adebayo (MIA) | 100-107 L vs. OKC | 5 | 1-9 (0-0) | 10 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -18 | 31 |
| Cason Wallace (OKC) | 107-100 W vs. MIA | 3 | 1-4 (1-3) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -14 | 14 |
| Julius Randle (NYK) | 98-74 L vs. ORL | DNP-Shoulder | ||||||||
| Tyler Herro (MIA) | 100-107 L vs. OKC | DNP-Knee | ||||||||
| Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) | 104-113 L vs. CLE | DNP-Knee | ||||||||
| Olivier Sarr (OKC) | 107-100 W vs. MIA | DNP-G League | ||||||||
| Chris Livingston (MIL) | 122-123 L vs. LAL | DNP-G League | ||||||||
| TyTy Washington (MIL) | 122-123 L vs. LAL | DNP-G League | ||||||||
| Jarred Vanderbilt (LAL) | 123-122 W vs. MIL | DNP-Foot | ||||||||
| Shaedon Sharpe (POR) | 107-123 L vs. HOU | DNP-Core | ||||||||
| Tyrese Maxey (PHI) | 95-103 L vs. NOP | DNP-Concussion |
Today in the NBA
4:00 (NBA TV): Bulls @ Clippers (Boston Jr.)
7:00: Nets @ Hornets (Richards)
7:00: Mavericks (PJ Washington) @ Pistons
8:30 (ABC): Celtics @ Suns (Booker: Doubtful)
8:30: Spurs (Johnson) @ Warriors
9:00: Jazz @ Nuggets (Murray)
10:00: Raptors (Quickley) @ Trail Blazers (Hagans, Sharpe: Out)
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