NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hits career-high 55 in Thunder double overtime win
Oklahoma City become first club in league history to go into double overtime in their first two games of a campaign
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 55 points to lead reigning champion Oklahoma City over Indiana 141-135 in double overtime on Thursday in a historic rematch of last season’s NBA Finals.
Hours after the league was rocked by a massive illegal gambling probe, reigning NBA MVP Gilgeous-Alexander dragged the Thunder to victory.
The Canadian added eight rebounds and five assists while hitting 15-of-31 shots from the floor and 23-of-26 free throws to lead a 45-of-51 Thunder effort from the line.
The 27-year-old guard, last season’s top NBA scorer, netted nine points in the second overtime to lift Oklahoma City over a determined Pacers squad.
After the Thunder won their season opener at home on Tuesday over Houston 125-124 in double overtime, they became the first club in NBA history to go into double overtime in their first two games of a campaign.
Gilgeous-Alexander, whose previous career best was 54 points, managed his fifth NBA career 50-point game.