BBNBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Ties Career-High with 45 Points

The NBA season is young, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making another strong case to be the MVP of the league.

A year after finishing second in MVP voting, the former Kentucky Wildcat is second in the league in scoring, averaging 31.1 points per game. He went wild for the Oklahoma City Thunder on the day after Christmas.

Gilgeous-Alexander tied his career-high by scoring 45 points on 15-22 shooting, including 4-5 from three-point land. He flirted with a triple-double, adding eight assists and seven rebounds in a 120-114 win over the Indiana Pacers.

“Shai was outstanding. That was a masterpiece,” OKC head coach Mark Daignault said after the win. “He was at his own pace the entire night… it was a great blend of passing and attacking, a great blend of shooting and attacking. He just had total control.”

With the win, Oklahoma City improved to 24-5. They have the second-best record in the NBA and top the Western Conference as the new year approaches.

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BBNBA Box Score Roundup

You probably saw Tyler Herro score 20 points and sink the game-winning shot against the Orlando Magic. Here’s how the rest of the former Kentucky Wildcats performed on the day after Christmas.

Nick Richards had 6 points and 5 rebounds in 16 minutes for the Hornets, who fell to the Washington Wizards.

Reed Sheppard could not find the scope on his shooting gun. The former Kentucky point guard was 0-8 from the field in 18 minutes for the Rockets. BJ Boston had 17 points and Antonio Reeves had four off the bench for New Orleans in the loss.

Malik Monk scored 15 points, while De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 27, six rebounds, and four assists. But Sacramento could not close out the Pistons, falling 114-113.

Former Cats in Action on Friday

Knicks (Karl-Anthony Towns, Jacob Toppin) at Orlando, 7:00 pm
Spurs (Keldon Johnson) at Nets, 7:30 pm
Timberwolves (Julius Randle, Rob Dillingham) at Rockets (Reed Sheppard), 8:00 pm
Grizzlies at Pelicans (Antonio Reeves, BJ Boston), 8:00 pm
Cavaliers at Nuggets (Jamal Murray), 9:00 pm
Mavericks (PJ Washington) at Suns (Devin Booker), 9:00 pm

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