Shai Gilgeous-Alexander chases Wilt's 63-year-old scoring record

Thunder star can surpass Chamberlain's streak of 127 consecutive 20-point games

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:34pm

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on the verge of breaking a 63-year-old NBA record held by the legendary Wilt Chamberlain. Gilgeous-Alexander can extend his streak of consecutive games with 20 or more points to 127, surpassing Chamberlain's previous record. The 24-year-old has been on an incredible scoring tear over the past four seasons, cementing his status as one of the league's elite players.

Why it matters

Gilgeous-Alexander's pursuit of Chamberlain's record highlights the evolution of the NBA game, with the modern superstar guard able to match the statistical dominance of the game's most physically imposing big men from previous eras. It also speaks to Gilgeous-Alexander's remarkable consistency and ability to score at an elite level night after night, a feat that has eluded many other NBA greats.

The details

Gilgeous-Alexander tied Chamberlain's record of 126 consecutive 20-point games on Monday night. He can break the record on Thursday against the Boston Celtics. During his streak, Gilgeous-Alexander has only scored 21 points or fewer five times, showcasing an unprecedented level of offensive production. His efficiency has also been remarkable, with a true shooting percentage of 65.2% over the course of the streak.

  • On January 20, 1963, Chamberlain's 126-game streak of consecutive 20-point games was snapped after he was ejected from a game against the St. Louis Hawks.
  • From February 26, 1963, to March 18, 1964, Chamberlain produced a 92-game stretch of consecutive 20-point games, which previously held the second-longest record until Gilgeous-Alexander's current run.
  • Gilgeous-Alexander can break Chamberlain's 63-year-old record on Thursday, March 14, 2026, when the Thunder take on the Boston Celtics.

The players

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

A 24-year-old Canadian guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder who has emerged as one of the NBA's elite players, with four All-Star selections, three first-team All-NBA honors, a scoring title, and an NBA Finals MVP award.

Wilt Chamberlain

A legendary NBA center who played in the 1960s and is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. He holds numerous unbreakable records, including a 100-point game and a 50.4 points per game season average.

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What they’re saying

“He's just been out of this world the past four or five years, especially scoring the ball. I think he's averaging 30 (points) over the last four years. I love players who care about leaving their mark in the history books. You can tell Shai cares about it. Obviously, he's a team-first player. But you can tell he wants to be great.”

— Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets All-Star

“He was never tired. I mean, he was a mammoth, physical presence and a physical strength. It has a lot to do with it, probably. You know that he picked up Arnold Schwarzenegger with one arm, don't you?”

— Tom Meschery, Former Warriors teammate of Chamberlain

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's pursuit of Wilt Chamberlain's 63-year-old scoring record showcases the evolution of the NBA game, with a modern superstar guard matching the statistical dominance of the league's most physically imposing big men from previous eras. Gilgeous-Alexander's remarkable consistency and efficiency have made the once-unthinkable record a realistic possibility, further cementing his status as one of the game's elite players.