Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on an absolute clinic on Monday night in Oklahoma City’s 117-104 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The first-year Thunder guard notched his first career triple-double, scoring 20 points, grabbing 20 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists.
Shai snags his 11th rebound (new career-high)
…and it's only the third quarter. pic.twitter.com/vgudE7BtMp
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 14, 2020
Gilgeous-Alexander’s big outing overshadowed a season-best 33 point outing for Danilo Gallinari, who made 8 of his 12 shots from the field and 11-of-12 free throws.
Catch → Fire → THREE❗
Don't miss this finish on @FOXSportsOK! pic.twitter.com/ZIUwQLPFWx
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 14, 2020
The Thunder had five other players in double-figures. Terrance Ferguson and Dennis Schroder both scored 14, Steven Adams had 13, Mike Muscala chipped in 11, and Chris Paul added 10 to round out the scoring attack.
HIGH-FLYING FERGUSON! #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/Nv7Y6KP88m
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 14, 2020
As a team, Oklahoma City shot 50.0% from the field and 40.0% beyond the arc.
But the night belonged to Gilgeous-Alexander.
Per the Thunder, he’s just the fourth second-year player in NBA history to register a 20/20 triple-double, joining Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Oscar Robertson.
20 pts | 10 asts | 20 rebs
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is now the FOURTH 2nd year player in NBA history to register a 20/20 triple-double (Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Oscar Robertson). pic.twitter.com/m8ReT29nYg
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 14, 2020
He’s also the youngest player in NBA history with a 20-rebound triple-double, according to Elias Sports Bureau, surpassing Shaquille O’Neal.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins Russell Westbrook as the only guards with a 20-point, 20-rebound triple-double over the last 30 seasons.
He is also the youngest player in NBA history with a 20-rebound triple-double, passing Shaquille O'Neal (via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/1koaz0Zweg
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 14, 2020
During his postgame interview, Gilgeous-Alexander was interrupted by Dennis Schroder (because when doesn’t Schroder interrupt a postgame interview?) saying, “20, 20, and 10? That’s so tough bro!”
A well-deserved early shower.
💦 @shaiglalex 💦 pic.twitter.com/HpB8etq3Kd
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 14, 2020
He told Thunder reporter Nick Gallo that Billy Donovan had challenged him before the game because “he knows what I’m capable of” and Gilgeous-Alexander said he just wanted to step up to the challenge.
He did, and then some.