Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a career game Friday against the Phoenix Suns, adding to a sophomore season that’s been filled with improvement.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 32 points and made Thunder history in OKC’s 126-108 win over the Suns. According to Stat Muse, Gilgeous-Alexander became the youngest Thunder player other than Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook to score 32 points.
A second-year guard out of Kentucky, Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best young players in the league. As the Thunder’s leading scorer, he is averaging a career-high 18.6 points per game and shooting 35.0% from the 3-point line.
According to NBA.com, he ranks fourth in scoring among sophomores, and he’s ranked 11th in rebounds (5.1).
Gilgeous-Alexander was traded to OKC in the offseason as part of the deal that sent Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Thunder were projected to be near the bottom of the Western Conference this season, but they’re currently 14-14 and are ranked seventh in the conference.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the youngest player not named Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook to score 32 points in a game in OKC Thunder history. pic.twitter.com/yjodawvsOT
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 21, 2019
Gilgeous-Alexander, as well as players such as Chris Paul and Danilo Gallinari, have helped the Thunder play better than expected this season.
Paul, with his veteran leadership, leads the team in assists. A good shooter throughout his career, Gallinari is second on the team in both scoring and 3-point field goal percentage.
The Thunder will play the Clippers in OKC on Sunday at 7 p.m. EST.
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