Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Drops 55 Points as Thunder Defeat Warriors 142-137 in Overtime

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander produced one of the most spectacular individual performances of the 2026 NBA season tonight, exploding for a career-high 55 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a thrilling 142-137 double-overtime victory over the Golden State Warriors at Paycom Center. The 27-year-old guard was virtually unstoppable throughout the contest, shooting 20-of-31 from the field while adding 8 assists and 7 rebounds in a performance that had the sellout crowd on their feet repeatedly.

Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring barrage began early and never relented, as he scored 18 points in the first quarter to establish the tone for what would become a career-defining night. The Canadian guard showcased his complete offensive arsenal, knocking down contested three-pointers, driving through traffic for acrobatic layups, and converting mid-range jumpers with remarkable consistency. "I felt like I was in a zone from the very first possession," Gilgeous-Alexander said after the game. "My teammates kept finding me, and everything was falling tonight."

The Warriors, led by Stephen Curry's 41 points and Klay Thompson's 28, refused to fold despite Gilgeous-Alexander's dominance, forcing overtime with a Curry three-pointer with 3.2 seconds remaining in regulation. The veteran guards combined for 12 points in the first overtime period, matching the Thunder's output to send the game to a second extra session. However, Gilgeous-Alexander took over in the final overtime period, scoring 8 of his team's 12 points to finally put the Warriors away.

The performance was particularly impressive given the defensive attention Gilgeous-Alexander faced throughout the contest, with Golden State frequently sending double teams and employing multiple defensive schemes to try to slow him down. The Thunder star consistently made the right reads when facing extra defenders, creating open looks for teammates while finding ways to score even when heavily contested. His 55 points marked the highest single-game total by any player this season and the most ever scored by a Thunder player in franchise history.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised his star player's performance while emphasizing the team effort required to defeat a championship-caliber Warriors squad. "Shai was absolutely phenomenal tonight, but this was a complete team win," Daigneault noted. "Everyone contributed, and we showed the kind of resilience and determination that championship teams display." Josh Giddey added 16 points and 11 assists, while Chet Holmgren contributed 19 points and 8 rebounds in supporting roles.

The victory improved Oklahoma City to 43-16 on the season, strengthening their position as the second seed in the Western Conference behind only the Denver Nuggets. The Thunder have emerged as legitimate championship contenders behind Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP-caliber play and a deep, talented roster that combines youth with veteran leadership. Tonight's performance served notice to the rest of the NBA that Oklahoma City possesses the star power and depth necessary to compete with anyone in the league when the playoffs arrive. For Gilgeous-Alexander, the 55-point explosion represented another step in his evolution into one of the game's elite players and cemented his status as a serious MVP candidate as the regular season enters its final stretch.