It was bound to happen someday. At times it seemed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would be able to score 20 points even in games he didn’t even turn up for, but the Canadian’s historic milestone finally ended in the clash against Denver. 141 regular-season games later, the two-time MVP was unable to reach the twenty-point mark. Nearly two years on, the longest streak in history has come to an end.
It was a happy ending, as it came in a convincing 96-84 Thunder win over a direct rival, one to which Shai contributed far more than points. The stout defence of men like Christian Braun left him on 17 points on 6/19 from the field, but his excellent defensive work, his knack for drawing attention from the defence and his ability to create for his teammates more than made up for the baskets that didn’t fall. So much so that, with a +21 in his 34 minutes, he had the best plus-minus of the night.
A decision of his own
SGA grew into the game as it went on, and while it initially looked like he would fall well short of the twenty-point mark (he had just 4 points near the close of the third quarter), his shooting touch gradually warmed up and the picture began to change. The shots were going in, his teammates were looking for him, and it seemed the streak might miraculously survive. But then, with the score at 93-76 and less than two minutes to play, Denver stopped the game to take their starters off the floor.
It was then that Shai decided preserving the record was not worth any price. “I was going to come out, but when I saw the Nuggets had changed their lineup I figured we should do the same,” he said. “You have to play with respect.”
Daigneault, who would have left his star on the floor had he asked to stay, also praised the guard’s gesture: “I think saying the situation requires me to change him is a demonstration of class on his part. It was he who asked to be substituted. And of all the things I admire about him, this sits very high on the list of moments I will remember fondly.”
As always when this streak is discussed, it is worth remembering that it refers exclusively to regular-season games, as Shai has in fact dipped below 20 several times in the playoffs. It happened three times in 2025 and three more in 2026, but for the purposes of this record the last game in which he failed to reach that figure dates from 30 October 2024, when he scored only 18 against San Antonio.