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TIM MACMAHON
San Francisco – Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderThe second 50 -point match in career – and second in four games – was not a cause of celebration.
This is because it happened in a rare loss for the head of the Western Conference Oklahoma City Thunderwho fell Golden State Warriors 116-109 Wednesday evening despite the Gilgeous-Alexander paid 52 points.
“It sucks. Personally, I play to win, ”said Gilgeous-Alexander. “Victory comes above all, and if I do not win, I am not satisfied. So maybe my 52 points this evening were not in the best interest of the team. »»
Gilgeous-Alexander became the first league player with several 50 points performances this season; He scored a 54 -point career summit in the victory at home of January 22 of the Thunder on the Utah jazz. He joined Kevin during And Russell Westbrook As only players in the history of the franchise with several 50 points performances in a season.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the leader of the NBA at 32.5 points per game, finished 16 out of 29 on the ground and 18 out of 21 on the line, the most frank attempts in his career.
“It’s cold,” he said Andrew Wiggins said. “He’s hard. He can mark at three levels; He arrives at the line of fault and he does not stop. The whole game is yours. … We did our best.
Gilgeous-Alexander took a dazzling start at the Chase Center while the Thunder (37-9) took a 14-point lead in the first quarter, when he had 21 points on 8 shots on 8 ground. It was a spectacular demonstration of ball begging, body control and shots manufacturing while Gilgeous-Alexander dug a Golden State defense which frequently committed a second defender towards him.
“Sometimes, even when you’re there, you are somehow caught looking at,” said Thunder Forward Jalen Williamswho scored 26 points on the shot of 12 out of 26. “Because he arrives in places on the ground that you should not be able to defend it. And it is a bit of one of those things that you have been able to get out a little and not be caught and be ready to be a outlet for him or to cut or to be engaged in the offense.
It was the second time in two weeks that Gilgeous-Alexander has exceeded the opposing team alone in the first quarter, that no other league player has been once this season, according to ESPN Research.
In a first case, the Thunder struck an eruption over the lead-oriental Cleveland riders On January 16, Wednesday, Oklahoma City players other than Gilgeous-Alexander had trouble finding a pace in the last quarters, when the Thunder was held at 75 points on 37.3% shooting while the Warriors have rallied.
“There is probably a trend in situations where he is just buzzing (to get caught while looking at Gilgeous-Alexander).” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “But we also have a team identity. We have a bunch of guys who trust. We must be this team whatever the context. Whether he spends a night’s leave, which does not often happen, or spending a night like this evening. “”
With the Thunder who has trouble generating offenses from others, Daignault adjusted his rotation in the fourth trimester to cut the rest of his superstar. Gilgeous-Aalexander returned with the score equally and 9:55 remaining, about three minutes earlier than usual.
“I don’t know what to do with Shai,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “I asked Mark to leave him on the bench for a few more minutes, and he did not comply. I looked for Mark and said, “You can’t give him two more minutes. It would be really useful for us. And Mark just laughed.
But the Warriors (24-23) moved away from the section. The last two buckets of Gilgeous-Alexander arrived in the last minute when the Warriors were launched by three possessions.
“I’m going to watch the match, seeing where I could have been better and trying to win the match is the most important for me,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “I am not satisfied. This does not feel as good as the other (performance of 50 points) because of the L. ”
Ohm Youngmisuk d’Espn contributed to this report.