By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) — Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reached 20 points on Friday night against the Houston Rockets for the 70th straight game, moving past Michael Jordan for the fourth-longest single-season streak in NBA history.
Gilgeous-Alexander made 1 of 2 free throws at the end of the third quarter to give him 20 points and eclipse the 69-game streak Jordan had in 1990-91 and become the first player to have a 70-game streak since the 1960s.
He finished with 22 points in Oklahoma City’s 125-111 loss that snapped an 11-game winning streak. It was the Thunder’s first loss since March 10th.
Wilt Chamberlain tops the list with 80-game streaks in both the 1961-62 and 1963-64 seasons. Oscar Robertson is third with a 76-game streak in 1963-64.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s streak began on November 1st when he scored 30 points against the Trail Blazers. It came a game after he managed just 18 points in a win over the Spurs, which was the only time this season when he didn’t score at least 20 points.
Jalen Williams led the Thunder in Friday’s game against the Rockets, with 33 points. Chet Holmgren added 20, including a career high six 3-pointers.
The Thunder will next play the first of consecutive games against the Lakers on Sunday.
