The Oklahoma City Thunder outlasted the Denver Nuggets 129-126 on Monday night.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sank a step-back three-pointer with 2.7 seconds left to cap a frantic final minute on a night he matched Wilt Chamberlain’s record for consecutive 20-point games.
The reigning MVP finished with 35 points, 9 rebounds, and a career-high 15 assists, becoming the second player in NBA history to have those totals and zero turnovers.
Gilgeous-Alexander reached the 20-point mark for the 126th straight game, equaling Chamberlain’s streak from 1961-63.
As the Thunder led 126-122, Nikola Jokic hit a three-pointer, while Thunder’s Jaylin Williams was called for an off-ball foul, fighting through a screen.
Nuggets’ Jamal Murray made the free throw with 8.5 seconds left to tie the game.
Gilgeous-Alexander responded for his second triple in the final 14 seconds and Denver’s Aaron Gordon missed a heave at the buzzer.
Oklahoma City is 6-0 since Gilgeous-Alexander returned from an abdominal strain that sidelined him for nine games.
Williams had 29 points and Ajay Mitchell added 24, in his return after missing 20 games.
On the other hand, Jokic had 32 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists. It was his 24th triple-double of the season and the 188th of his career.
Nuggets’ Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed 28 points, and Gordon added 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City was missing starters Chet Holmgren (illness), Isaiah Hartenstein (bruised left calf) and Jalen Williams (strained right hamstring) and key reserve Alex Caruso (bruised left hip).
The Thunder led 66-60 at halftime and led by eight with just over two minutes remaining before Denver rallied to set up the tight finish.
Up next: the Nuggets host the Rockets on Wednesday, while the Thunder host the Celtics on Thursday.
