Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s heartfelt tribute after dropping 54 points

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 54 points in a 123-114 win against the Utah Jazz. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 13 of his 54 points in the game’s final six minutes to secure the nine-point victory. But he still believes he could have achieved more and had a better game.

After the victory, the reporter asked Gilgeous-Alexander if felt like he scored 50-plus in the middle of a career night.

“It’s not,” Gilgeus-Alexander replied. “I felt like I could have had a lot more. I know this is going to sound very spoiled, but I feel like I didn’t have such a great night. I left a few on the table. But there’s room for improvement, and that’s a good thing.”

For Gilgeous-Alexander, his 54-point performance wasn’t his best game of the season.

“I feel like I wasn’t at my best tonight, regardless of what the scoreboard says,” Gilgeous-Alexander added. “I feel like I could have done better — offensively, shooting, a little bit, and on a couple of reads.” But that comes with the game; you won’t be perfect all the time. I feel like I had better games this season, even though it didn’t look like it on the score sheet. It’s just me chasing the growth, not the outcome, and that’s where it comes from.”

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 54 points on 17-of-35 shooting, including 3-for-10 from deep and 17-of-18 from the free throw line. He also had eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks. Jaylen Williams added 25 points, and Cason Wallace leads the bench with 13 points. However, SGA’s big night stole the show.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reacts to Thunder fans at Paicom Center

After the Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored his 10,000th career pointhe hit another epic milestone in Wednesday’s win against the Jazz.

As it approaches 50-plus points, Gilgeous-Alexander he said it did not go unnoticed in the last minutes of the game.

“I was definitely able to finish this game and bury this team,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Make the games below. But, yes, I am aware. I know what’s going on. Obviously, the audience didn’t let me forget. But it was special to do it in front of them. It’s always fun, I guess, to hit career highs. It’s fun to cross things off the list. And have the support of the whole city behind you.”

Fans chanting “MVP” added a special touch at the end.

“They feel good every time I get them.” I don’t take them for granted,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Apparently I get them in this building a lot.” The fans won’t let me forget.”

Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will host the Mavericks for the second night of back-to-back games.