Alright, folks, let’s talk about something wild happening in the NBA right now—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s silky-smooth superstar, has just tied Michael Jordan for one of the most jaw-dropping stat records in the game. We’re talking 69 straight games with 20 or more points in a single season, a mark that puts SGA in some seriously elite company. This isn’t just a hot streak; it’s a full-on scoring clinic that’s got fans buzzing and analysts scrambling to put it in perspective. So, let’s break it down like we’re courtside with a cold drink, because this is too good to skim over.
First off, SGA hitting 69 consecutive 20-point games is the kind of stat line that makes you sit up straight. Back in the 1990-91 season, Jordan—yeah, that Jordan—did the same thing, tearing through defenses like they were made of tissue paper. Now, here comes Shai, matching MJ step for step in 2024-25, and doing it with a cool, calculated flair that’s all his own. During this stretch, he’s averaging a ridiculous 33 points per game on a 65% true shooting percentage. For the uninitiated, that’s not just efficient—it’s “are you kidding me?” territory. He’s out there making tough shots look like layups, and he’s doing it night after night.
What’s crazy is where this ranks historically. SGA and MJ are locked in at third place for the longest single-season streaks of 20-plus-point games, but the leaderboard ahead of them is straight-up legendary. Wilt Chamberlain owns the top two spots with 80-game runs in both 1961-62 and 1963-64—because, well, Wilt was a cheat code. Then there’s Oscar Robertson, the Big O, who dropped 76 straight in 1963-64, back when he was rewriting what a guard could do. Shai’s 69-game tear ties him with Jordan and sits just ahead of his own earlier mark of 65 games from earlier this season, which had already landed him fifth on the list. That’s right—he’s chasing himself now, too.
So, how’s he doing it? Well, if you’ve watched SGA play, you know he’s got this old-school vibe mixed with new-school polish. He’s not just jacking up threes or bulldozing to the rim—though he can do both. He’s a maestro with the mid-range, slithering past defenders with a hesitation here, a crossover there, and then bam, a buttery jumper that’s cash every time. That 65% true shooting percentage tells you he’s not forcing it either; he’s picking his spots and making teams pay. It’s the kind of consistency that reminds you of Jordan in his prime—unstoppable, unrelenting, and somehow still smooth as silk.
Let’s put this in context for a sec. Scoring 20 points in an NBA game isn’t some walk in the park. Defenses are smarter and tougher than ever, with schemes designed to clog the paint and run shooters off the line. For SGA to keep this up for 69 games straight, he’s not just beating the guy in front of him—he’s outsmarting entire game plans. Think about that: 69 nights where he’s looked at double-teams, traps, and whatever else coaches throw at him, and said, “Nah, I’m still getting mine.” That’s the mark of a guy who’s not just hot, but locked in at an all-time level.
Now, if we zoom out a bit, this streak isn’t some fluke. Earlier this season, Shai had that 65-game run, which already had folks whispering about his place among the greats. Back then, he was rubbing shoulders with names like Jordan, Wilt, and Oscar—pretty heady stuff for a guy who’s still got plenty of years ahead of him. But to turn around and push it to 69? That’s next-level grit. It’s not just about the points; it’s the durability, the focus, the sheer will to keep delivering when everyone knows you’re the guy they’ve got to stop. Thunder fans are eating this up, and honestly, who can blame them?
Let’s talk about that Jordan comparison for a minute, because it’s too juicy to ignore. MJ’s 69-game streak came during a season where he was basically the sun around which the NBA orbited. He averaged 31.5 points that year, won MVP, and oh yeah, kicked off the Bulls’ first three-peat with a Finals MVP to cap it. Shai’s not at that championship stage yet, but the parallels are spooky. Both guys have that killer instinct, that ability to make scoring look effortless even when it’s anything but. Jordan did it with acrobatics and a mid-range game that was pure art; SGA’s doing it with a modern twist, blending crafty footwork with a jumper that’s money from anywhere inside the arc. Different eras, same vibe: greatness.
Where does this rank among other modern stars? Well, Kevin Durant’s got a 64-game streak from 2016, and Kobe Bryant hit 62 back in 2006—both unreal runs by unreal players. KD was a scoring machine in his prime, and Kobe, well, he was Kobe—capable of dropping 81 on any given night. Shai’s 69 games top both of them, though, and that’s not a knock on Durant or Bryant; it’s just a testament to how locked in SGA is right now. At 33 points per game over this stretch, he’s not just keeping pace—he’s setting the tone for what a top-tier scorer looks like in today’s NBA.
So, what’s next? With the season still rolling, Shai’s got a shot to climb even higher. Could he catch Oscar’s 76? Wilt’s 80? That’s a tall order—pun intended—but if anyone’s got the chops to make a run at it, it’s this guy. The Thunder are leaning on him hard, and he’s delivering in a way that’s got the whole league taking notice. Whether he keeps climbing the list or not, one thing’s clear: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t just playing at an elite level—he’s carving out a legacy, one 20-point night at a time. And for us fans? It’s a heck of a show to watch unfold.
