Gilgeous-Alexander Shines as Oklahoma City Thunder Stay Perfect

Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his dominant form as the defending NBA champions extended their perfect start to the 2025–26 season with a hard-fought 107–101 victory over the Sacramento Kings at the Paycom Center on Tuesday night.

The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player once again led by example, scoring 31 points to keep Oklahoma City atop the Western Conference standings with a flawless 5-0 record.

Trailing by three points entering the fourth quarter, the Thunder rallied late, taking the lead with just 2:33 remaining and maintaining control down the stretch.

“We did what it took to win,” said Gilgeous-Alexander after the game. “It wasn’t perfect, but we trusted our defense and executed when it mattered most.”

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MVP Form Continues for Gilgeous-Alexander

The 26-year-old guard has picked up right where he left off last season, proving why he’s one of the league’s most complete and clutch players. With 143 total points through five games, Gilgeous-Alexander currently stands as the joint leading scorer in the NBA, matching his impressive MVP-level pace from 2024–25.

Since joining the Oklahoma City Thunder from the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019, Gilgeous-Alexander has grown into one of the league’s most versatile stars, combining elite scoring with leadership on both ends of the floor.

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Thunder Stay on Top of the West

The Thunder’s depth and balance continue to shine under head coach Mark Daigneault, as the team looks poised to defend its 2025 NBA title.

Oklahoma City now leads the Western Conference with a perfect 5-0 record, outpacing strong contenders like the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors.

The Thunder will next host the Washington Wizards on Friday, while the Kings look to bounce back when they face the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.

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Around the League: Giannis and the Bucks Rally Past Knicks

Elsewhere, Giannis Antetokounmpo powered the Milwaukee Bucks to a comeback 121–111 win over the New York Knicks. The two-time MVP exploded for 37 points, including 23 in the second half, erasing a 14-point deficit and lifting the Bucks to their third win of the season.

Milwaukee played without Kevin Porter Jr. for a third straight game due to an ankle injury. Coach Doc Rivers emphasized patience with the guard’s recovery:

“We’re not going to rush him because we don’t want this to become chronic,” Rivers said. “It was a bad turn, so we just want to be patient.”

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Other NBA Results

• Philadelphia 76ers stayed unbeaten (4–0) with a thrilling 139–134 overtime victory over the Washington Wizards.
• Golden State Warriors dominated the Los Angeles Clippers 98–79 in San Francisco.
• Miami Heat routed the Charlotte Hornets 144–117 at home.