A look at every 30-point game (so far) in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s career

On the heels of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s career-best 33 points in the win over the Chicago Bulls, let’s take a look back at his highest scoring affairs of his three-year NBA career.

This was the sixth time Gilgeous-Alexander has crossed the 30-point threshold. Each occurrence has come with the Oklahoma City Thunder; he scored 20 or more six times as a rookie with the Los Angeles Clippers, but never got to 30.

Now the leader of the Thunder, it’s unsurprising that he has already reached 30 twice over the 12 games so far this season, something he only did three times in the 2019-20 regular season.

Here’s a look at his highest scoring performances:

Dec. 20, 2019: 32 points vs. Phoenix Suns

Gilgeous-Alexander really came alive at the end of 2019. This isn't the only time this 10-day stretch pops up on the list. He started his run with a 32-point performance against the Phoenix Suns. The second-year guard shot 13-for-18 from the field and had four rebounds and three assists. He scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to help put the game away and get the 126-108 victory. This was a new career record, eclipsing the 29 points he scored on Dec. 6 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The first 30-point game of his career came in December 2019, but it wouldn't be the final one that year.

Dec. 22, 2019: 32 points vs. Los Angeles Clippers

After going 109 games before he had a 30-point game, Gilgeous-Alexander did not dawdle to get another. There were zero games between him setting a career high and him tying it. This time, he scored 32 on 12-for-25 shooting, a career-high for field goal attempts that still stands. This performance was special in that it came against his former team. The Clippers, who traded him as part of the Paul George trade, watched as Gilgeous-Alexander tore them apart and made two baskets midway through the fourth as the Thunder made their comeback and then helped ice it with a pair of free throws near the end.

Dec. 29, 2019: 32 points vs. Toronto Raptors

Gilgeous-Alexander had one more 32-point game in him before 2019 came to a close. He put up 32 points for the third time in 10 days in a 98-97 win over the Toronto Raptors and capped it with the game-winner.

In the five games between Dec. 20-29, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 28.8 points on 55% shooting from the field and 52.9% from deep with three 32-point performances. His "low" during that stretch was 21 points, which was also the only loss over those five games.

Aug. 20, 2020: 31 points vs. Houston Rockets

Gilgeous-Alexander was excellent in his first playoff game of 2020, posting 31 points against the Houston Rockets. He went 9-for-17 from the field, made three 3s and made 10 of the 11 free throws he attempted. His 10 points in the third quarter was more than half the Thunder's total in that frame. However, with the team unable to score consistently in the second half, Oklahoma City fell in that game to the Rockets. Gilgeous-Alexander also had six rebounds and a pair of assists in 37 minutes that game.

Jan. 10, 2021: 31 points vs. Brooklyn Nets

Facing Kevin Durant's new team? Even being guarded by the former MVP at times? No problem. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander produced 31 points against the Brooklyn Nets in a win for the Oklahoma City Thunder in which they entered as 7.5-point underdogs. He had 14 points in the first quarter alone and added five in the final 46 seconds of the third quarter to extend the Thunder's lead to double-digits. He also finished with seven assists and six rebounds while shooting 11-for-16 from the field.

Jan. 15, 2021: 33 points vs. Chicago Bulls

That brings us to Friday, when Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points to help lead Oklahoma City to the 22-point comeback over the Chicago Bulls. He had 12 points in the fourth quarter alone and finished with 10 assists, also a season-high. Trailing by three points with 16 seconds in regulation, Gilgeous-Alexander managed to draw a foul and convert the and-one to put the Thunder in position to send the game to overtime with one final stop. They got that stop and then they got the win. Gilgeous-Alexander has had an excellent start to the 2020-21 season, averaging 21.6 points, 6.2 assists and 5.3 rebounds through 12 games. He's clearly taken a shine to the limelight, leading the Thunder to a surprisingly strong 6-6 record. This list will almost surely have to be updated before season's end. When will his next 30-point game come?