The NBA's leading scorer delivered Monday night in a potential playoff preview.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 51 points for the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 137-128 win over Houston Rockets. With the win, the Thunder improved to 50-11 to cushion their stranglehold of first place in the Western Conference. The 37-24 Rockets remain in fifth place in the West as a potential second-round opponent for the Thunder in the playoffs.
Gilgeous-Alexander's tally marked his fourth 50-plus point effort of the season, the most in the NBA as he further strengthened his MVP campaign. He got off to a sizzling start with 20 of Oklahoma City's 30 first-quarter points.