Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on pace to own just about every Canadian NBA scoring record in the history of the league.
After knocking at the door on multiple occasions, with several 40+ point games where he didn’t play the fourth quarter due to blowouts, the six-foot-six guard finally broke through and set the record for most points scored by a Canadian in a regular season or playoff game.
The Hamilton, Ontario native delivered a career-high 54 points in a game for the ages, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a hard-fought 123-114 victory over the Utah Jazz.
This milestone solidifies his status as one of the league’s brightest stars, a front-runner for the MVP award, but also pushed him past Kiki Vandeweghe, who previously held the record with 51 points in a triple-overtime game, part of the highest-scoring game in NBA history—L.A. Clippers vs. Detroit Pistons (186-184) on December 13, 1983.
Though Vandeweghe (Los Angeles, California) was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, he holds dual American and Canadian citizenship, as his father, Ernie, was born in Montreal. Vandeweghe also scored 50 points again on January 11, 1984, in a game against the San Antonio Spurs.
Shai now sits atop the Canadian scoring list, followed by Vandeweghe (51 points) and Jamal Murray. Murray has scored 50 points three times—twice in the playoffs and once in the regular season—making him the Canadian with the most 50-point games, a record that Gilgeous-Alexander will likely add to his name sooner than later.
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s star guard was nothing short of unstoppable, showcasing a scoring clinic that emphasized his extraordinary versatility and skill.
Of his 17 made field goals, only four came from layups or dunks in the restricted area. The rest were an exquisite assortment of polished jump shots—off-the-dribble pull-ups that left defenders frozen, step-backs that defied defensive physics, elbow post-ups with surgical precision, turnaround fadeaways that seemed to defy gravity, soft bank shots, and catch-and-shoots that found nothing but net.
It was a masterclass in scoring at all three levels, further underlining why Shai is considered one of the most complete offensive players in the game today.
Shai wasted no time setting the tone, pouring in 15 points in the first quarter on 5-of-10 shooting, hinting at the brilliance to follow. By halftime, he had tallied 23 points, keeping the Thunder within striking distance and building anticipation for what was to come.
In the third quarter, he found another gear entirely, connecting on two three-pointers and scoring 18 points to swing the momentum decisively in OKC’s favor. Down the stretch, Shai closed out the game with 13 of the Thunder’s last 20 fourth-quarter points, finishing with a staggering 31 points in the second half—a testament to his ability to dominate when it matters most.
Averaging 32.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game this season, Gilgeous-Alexander is on the verge of being named an NBA All-Star starter for the third consecutive year, further solidifying his place among the league’s elite.
The numbers speak volumes: 54 points, 17-of-35 from the field, 3-of-10 from deep, and a near-perfect 17-of-18 from the free-throw line, along with 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in just 37 minutes. His 35 field-goal attempts set a new Canadian record, while his 17 made free throws fell just one shy of his own record for Canadians in the NBA.
At 26 years old, Shai is not just breaking records—he’s doing so while leading the Thunder to the NBA’s best record. At 36-7, Oklahoma City sits atop the Western Conference, with the Houston Rockets trailing a massive seven games behind.
During his post-game interview, Shai downplayed the significance of his first 50-point game. “I scored a few more points,” he said with characteristic humility. “I feel like I wasn’t at my best tonight. Regardless of what the scoreboard says, I feel like I could have been better offensively—shot-making a little bit, and then a couple of reads—but that comes with the game.”
“You’re not going to be perfect all the time. I feel like I’ve had better games this season, even though it didn’t look like it on the score sheet. That’s just me chasing growth as opposed to an outcome. That’s what that comes from,” he continued, showing his maturation and his mental leap from being hyper-focused on efficiency to simply playing freely.
This performance isn’t just about individual accolades; it’s a testament to Shai’s ability to elevate his team. With every clutch bucket and defensive stop, he continues to prove why his name belongs at the top of the MVP conversation while positioning the Thunder as genuine championship contenders.
This 54-point explosion also cements his place in Oklahoma City Thunder history. It’s the highest-scoring game by a Thunder player since Russell Westbrook’s 51-point outing in 2017 and came just four points shy of the franchise record of 58—a mark that now seems tantalizingly within reach.
For Canadian basketball fans, Shai’s record-setting night is more than just a personal triumph. It’s another shining moment in the nation’s basketball journey, a beacon of inspiration for young players dreaming of NBA stardom.
As the season progresses, performances like this only strengthen Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s case for MVP. His ability to dominate games, lead his team, and shatter records is making him impossible to ignore. Canada’s basketball star is more than just a rising talent—he’s proving he’s among the absolute best in the game.
