The first game of a two-game set between the host Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers figured to be mostly about Damian Lillard’s ascension to the top of the Trail Blazers’ all-time scoring list.
It was that, but it was also the latest in a series of signs that Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is elevating his game to star level.
After Gilgeous-Alexander hit a game-winner at the buzzer to give Oklahoma City a 123-121 victory Monday, the Trail Blazers and Thunder meet again Wednesday, also in Oklahoma City.
Gilgeous-Alexander comes into the game third in the NBA in scoring at 31.3 points per game, behind only Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic.
Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 35 or more points 10 times this season, including in each of his last two games. He had four such games in his first four NBA seasons.
Oklahoma City went 1-5 during Kenrich Williams’ absence with a right knee sprain. The Thunder have won both games since Williams’ return, to move to 2-2 to begin a season-long seven-game homestand.
In the closing minutes of Monday’s game, Williams was on the floor alongside Luguentz Dort, giving Oklahoma City a pair of strong defenders against Portland’s backcourt duo of Lillard and Anfernee Simons.
The Trail Blazers have alternated wins and losses in the first four games of their six-game road trip.
While Lillard showed plenty of respect for Gilgeous-Alexander’s growth, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault reciprocated those feelings toward Lillard.
The Thunder’s Josh Giddey has missed the last two games with a non-COVID illness, while Darius Bazley has missed the last three for the same reason. Both were ruled out for Wednesday.
Portland’s Jusuf Nurkic missed Monday’s game with right calf soreness. He is listed as questionable.
