Wilt Chamberlain holds some of the most formidable records in NBA history, including the iconic 100-point game, the remarkable feat of scoring 4,000 points in a single season, and an astounding average of 50 points per game. Due to the extraordinary nature of these achievements, any record that is matched or surpassed in these categories garners significant attention.
Recently, Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has made headlines by equaling Chamberlain's NBA record of 126 consecutive regular-season games scoring 20 or more points. Gilgeous-Alexander achieved this milestone on a notable night when he scored 35 points, alongside a career-high of 15 assists, in a thrilling 129-126 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Reflecting on his journey, Gilgeous-Alexander remarked, “It’s crazy to think that where I was 10 years ago, I’d be here today.” His recent accomplishments are part of an impressive list that includes being named the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP), the NBA Finals MVP, and the league's scoring champion. Additionally, he played a crucial role in leading the Thunder to the NBA championship last season and is regarded as a frontrunner in the current season’s MVP race.
Despite the pressure of maintaining the streak, Gilgeous-Alexander maintains a focus on the bigger picture. He stated, “To be honest with you, I try to not even think about it — especially during the season. So much is going on, so many things have to go right for you to get what you ultimately want, and that gets 100% of my focus, especially basketball-wise.” He now looks forward to extending his streak to 127 games in the upcoming matchup against the Boston Celtics.
When comparing the statistics between Gilgeous-Alexander's and Chamberlain's streaks, several key metrics stand out. During Gilgeous-Alexander's 126-game streak, the Thunder recorded an impressive 102-24 win-loss record, while Chamberlain's Warriors held a 66-60 record during his streak. Notably, Chamberlain’s highest-scoring game was the historic 100-point performance against the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962. Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander’s peak scoring during his streak was 55 points, achieved against the Indiana Pacers on October 23.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.5 points per game throughout his streak, significantly lower than Chamberlain's average of 49.2 points per game. However, Gilgeous-Alexander's shooting percentage of .535 slightly exceeded Chamberlain's .511 shooting percentage. While Gilgeous-Alexander recorded two games with exactly 20 points during his streak, Chamberlain’s lowest-scoring game was 23 points in a loss to the Boston Celtics.
Chamberlain's 20-point streak came to an end in a game on January 19, 1963, with him scoring 35 points and grabbing 21 rebounds in a 116-114 loss to the Hawks. The following night, Chamberlain was ejected for the first time in his career after receiving two technical fouls for "abusive language" directed at a referee. He finished that game with six points, which dropped his scoring average from 47.0 points to 46.2 points immediately.
Remarkably, Chamberlain quickly resumed his streak, beginning on January 22, 1963, with a 39-point performance against the Detroit Pistons. This incident marks a pivotal moment, suggesting that had he not been ejected in St. Louis, he could have potentially extended his streak to 147 games. His next game with fewer than 20 points was February 24, 1963, against the Hawks, where he scored only 13 points.
In addition to his noteworthy streak of 126 games, Chamberlain had five other runs where he scored 20 or more points in at least 30 consecutive games, with his longest streak being 92 games — the third-longest in NBA history. He also had several other formidable streaks, ensuring his legacy remained unparalleled in the sport. Gilgeous-Alexander’s streak, while impressive, currently extends to just 63 games when including playoff performances, falling short of Chamberlain's remarkable numbers.
