If you think the MVP race needs further discussion, it’s time to slam the door shut on that one. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was meeting the moment in a night where he’s finally tied Wilt Chamberlain for the most consecutive 20-point games at 126. In a historic night, SGA’s MVP case takes on another level with a superb performance against one of their tightest rivals in the league.
As if that needs more context, Shai was drilling one big shot after another. He was outperforming Nikola Jokic when it mattered most. With OKC missing some of its key players in a Thunder vs Nuggets clash, Gilgeous-Alexander turned on the afterburners. By now, the NBA world is buzzing with his elite performance, and it doesn’t stop there.
SGA Punctuates MVP Case with Historic Performance
The fact that he drilled the game-winner against their division rivals is quite tough. SGA has been riding on a massive scoring tear in his previous games. He’s now got three clutch threes in a go-ahead scenario in three straight games. If that doesn’t prove SGA’s MVP case at a higher level, then what will?
Rewriting History At Home
Playing without Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Alex Caruso was alarming at first. Fans were anticipating a huge game from SGA filled with some tough field goals. By halftime, SGA didn’t have 20 points. He only had 17. But he had seven assists, capped off by a buzzer-beating triple from Isaiah Joe.
SGA blew past the 20-point mark with 2:27 left in the third, coming off a step-back three. By that time, he was already up to 11 assists, which is something rare for his usual game. It was more of his unselfish game on display. The fact that Jaylin Williams reached 20 points first before him is not something you see in most OKC games.
126 STRAIGHT 20+ POINT GAMES 🚨
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has tied Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time record! pic.twitter.com/Y9chBIJ33p
— NBA (@NBA) March 10, 2026
Fans celebrated his feat, and he’ll likely eclipse Chamberlain’s record should he not sit out against Boston. But in that moment, SGA didn’t stop scoring at 22 points. He knew that he had to cap off the night with a win in front of the Thunder home crowd. History is rewritten, but the job’s not done.
SGA vs Jokic Was A Masterclass
Despite tying history, Gilgeous-Alexander knew that the rest of the world was watching. Everyone knew that SGA was eventually hitting the 126-game mark of consecutive 20-point outings, but the bigger picture here was the MVP showdown between him and Jokic.
True enough, the two candidates did not fail to impress.
Jokic finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists on 12-19 shooting. But he also let J-Will drop 29 on his head — who isn’t even a regular scorer for the Thunder. SGA, on the other hand, was superb with 35 points on 14-12 shooting. He also had 15 assists and nine rebounds on ZERO turnovers. To all the “free throw merchant” critics out there, the reigning MVP finished 4-4 from the charity stripe.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the FIRST player in NBA history with…
• 35+ points
• 15+ assists
• 0 turnovers
• 75%+ true shooting..all in the same game. pic.twitter.com/IRIlF1civn
— Automatic (@automaticnba) March 10, 2026
But what stood out here was the performance in the final moments of the game. Jokic was slowly taking over. Hitting a clutch three and attacking the paint, but SGA was drilling one big shot after another. He even had two clutch triples that could have won the game for the Thunder (with his last three being the game-winner).
The moment SGA drilled another side-step three with time expiring, everyone knew it was over. Not just the game, but the MVP race itself.
Shai’s MVP Case Reigns Supreme
On top of tying a historic record, SGA proved that he is definitely worthy of winning the MVP for the second season in a row. Odds have now skyrocketed with Shai at -800 for a 91% chance to win the award again by the end of the season.
If you have doubted SGA’s case to win the MVP just because you saw him struggle for a while, think again. He’s on a scoring tear at the right time, and OKC remains the best in the league. Now try topping that off.
Featured Image: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images