Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 50 again as Thunder Rout Suns

Oklahoma City-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 50 points, and the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder conducted Phoenix Suns 140-109 on Wednesday night to improve to 40-9.

Thunder said Gilgeous-Alexander became the ninth player in the NBA story to score at least 50 points three times in a seven-game voltage. He had a career high 54 against Utah on the 29th and 52nd of January in the Golden State a week ago.

Gilgeous-Alexander is the only player in NBA with several 50-points games this season. His three 50-point matches are the second most in a season in franchise history that only draws Russell Westbrook, who had four in the 2016-17 season, according to ESPN Research.

Phoenix’s Kevin Durant sat out with a sprained left ankle. The 36-year-old All-Star spikes remain 26 points short of 30,000 for his career.

Oklahoma City’s fans still got a show. Several times Serenader de Gilgeous-Alexander with “MVP! MVP!” Chants were once reserved for Durant when the former Thunder star saw from the Phoenix bench.

Bradley Beal led Phoenix with 25 points, Devin Booker had 19 and Royce O’Neale 18. Suns have lost three in a row.

Phoenix led 63-61 at the break despite 28 points from Gilgeous-Alexander.

Thunder opened the second half on a 13-0 race to take a 74-63 lead. Gilgeous-Alexanders stealing and two-handed stop gave Thunder an 81-65 advantage of 6:21 back in the third.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored his 50th point on a baseline jumper early in the fourth quarter to give Oklahoma City a 114-84 lead.

Thunder reached 40 wins in their 49th match and marked the fewest matches for 40 wins in the franchise history, according to ESPN Research

Takeaways

Suns: Oklahoma City scored 23 points from Phoenix’s 22 revenue, adding the challenge of playing without Durant. Booker could not pick up the slack and only made 3 out of 9 field goals.

Thunder: The league’s best free-throwing team was good again, making 24 of 27. Oklahoma City also made 40 of 60 shots inside the 3-point arch.

Keying moment

Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort stuffed Beal’s Dunk attempt in the third quarter, then Gilgeous-Alexander made a set up at the other end to make it 87-69.

Key State

Thunder made only six revenue with two in the last minute.

Up next

Both teams play Friday night. Suns hosts Utah and Thunder hosts Toronto.

Associated Press contributed to this report.