Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 35 and breaks Wilt's record as Thunder beat Celtics 104-102

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander broke Wilt Chamberlain's record for consecutive games with 20 points or more, scoring 35 points in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 104-102 win over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night.

Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren was fouled on a rebound with 0.9 seconds remaining and made two free throws to break a 102-all tie. Boston’s Payton Pritchard missed a long 3-pointer as time expired.

Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 20 in 127 consecutive games, topping Chamberlain's mark that had stood since 1963. He hit a midrange jumper with 7:04 left in the third quarter that gave him 21 points and tied the game at 69-all. He finished with nine assists and six rebounds and made 13 of 18 field goals.

The Thunder won their seventh straight game — all since Gilgeous-Alexander returned from an abdominal strain that kept him out of the All-Star Game.

Jaylen Brown scored 34 points for the Celtics. Boston’s Jayson Tatum sat out as he works his way back from surgery to repair his right Achilles tendon. He’s played in three games since his return, including Tuesday’s loss at San Antonio.

The matchup of the defending champion Thunder, who have the league's best record, and the 2024 champion Celtics, who are second in the Eastern Conference, was tight throughout.

Gilgeous-Alexander hit a pullup jumper with just over a minute remaining to break a 98-all tie.

Brown made two free throws to tie the it with 50.8 seconds left.

Gilgeous-Alexander again went to his free-throw line jumper and connected with 29.6 seconds remaining to put Oklahoma City ahead 102-100.

Brown scored on a turnaround with 23 seconds left to set up the final sequence. Gilgeous-Alexander passed to an open Alex Caruso, who missed a 3-pointer, but Holmgren grabbed the rebound and was fouled.

Nuggets: Host Washington on Saturday.

Thunder: Host Minnesota on Sunday.

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, looks to shoot over Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown takes the ball to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace, lower right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looks to celebrate with a teammate during a timeout shortly after he broke Wilt Chamberlain's 20-point streak record during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, looks to shoot against Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots a 2-point basket to break Wilt Chamberlain's 20-point streak record during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander broke Wilt Chamberlain's record for consecutive games with 20 points or more, extending his streak to 127 on Thursday night.

The Oklahoma City Thunder guard hit two free throws in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics to reach 19 points. With the crowd on its feet, Gilgeous-Alexander pump-faked several times and drilled a jumper over Baylor Scheierman from beyond the free-throw line with 7:04 left in the period to push his total to 21.

He finished with 35 points and nine assists as the Thunder beat the Celtics 104-102.

Chamberlain's record had stood since 1963, and early on, it looked like Gilgeous-Alexander might struggle to break it. He didn't score until halfway through the first quarter, but he had 10 points by the end of the period and 17 at halftime.

Gilgeous-Alexander won his first MVP award last season, and his consistency for the defending champion Thunder could lead to a repeat. He won the scoring title last season and ranks second in scoring this year. Oklahoma City has the league's best record.

Coach Mark Daigneault credited Gilgeous-Alexander for his steady focus.

“That’s the impressive thing about him,” Daigneault said before the game. “Human nature is that you have success, you ease a little bit, and he’s the opposite. He tastes it, he wants more, he wants to come back for seconds.”

Chamberlain scored at least 20 in 126 straight games from 1961 to 1963. He had 20 or more in every game of the 1961-62 season for the Philadelphia Warriors, which included his record 100-point game in 1962. Chamberlain’s streak ended on Jan. 20, 1963, when he was ejected after just four minutes for the San Francisco Warriors against the St. Louis Hawks.

Gilgeous-Alexander tied the record on Monday, when he scored 35 points against the Denver Nuggets. He also had a career-high 15 assists and nine rebounds and hit the decisive 3-pointer in the closing seconds.

“He puts the work behind it, does it consistently,” Daigneault said. “He’s a perfectionist when it comes to his craft. He’s got an unbelievably high bar for himself, and yet, he’s incredibly empathic with his teammates.”

Gilgeous-Alexander has five games with at least 50 points during the run, including a career-high 55-point effort against the Indiana Pacers in the second game of this season. He was last held under 20 when he scored 18 on Oct. 30, 2024 against San Antonio.

Gilgeous-Alexander passed Chamberlain's second-best streak of 92 games earlier this season. The Thunder improved to 103-24 during Gilgeous-Alexander’s streak.

It's been a week of scoring feats in the NBA. Miami's Bam Adebayo scored 83 points on Tuesday, the second most behind Chamberlain's 100-point game.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) goes to the basket against Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signs autographs before an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, looks to shoot over Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, looks to shoot against Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)