Gilgeous-Alexander Powers Thunder Past Bucks In Dominant Road Win

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lit up the Fiserv Forum on January 21, 2026, delivering a performance that will be talked about for a long time in Oklahoma City Thunder lore. The reigning MVP poured in 40 points, dished out 11 assists, and grabbed seven rebounds as the Thunder cruised to a wire-to-wire 122-102 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. It was a night when the Thunder, battered by injuries and missing several key players, looked every bit like title contenders, extending their hot streak to seven wins in their last eight games.

From the opening tip, the Thunder came out firing on all cylinders. They shot an incredible 69.6% from the field in the first quarter, racing to a commanding 38-18 lead. Even with a depleted roster — missing Jaylin Williams, Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jalen Williams, Aaron Wiggins, Thomas Sorber, and Nikola Topić — Oklahoma City didn't skip a beat. The Bucks, meanwhile, were without Myles Turner, Kevin Porter Jr., Alex Antetokounmpo, and Taurean Prince, further complicating their recent struggles.

Ajay Mitchell, stepping into the starting lineup for some extra offensive punch, made the most of his opportunity. He erupted for 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting, including 2-for-2 from deep, and added three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in just 25 minutes. Mitchell set the tone early, scoring 12 of his points in the first quarter and silencing the Milwaukee crowd with a series of tough buckets. Unfortunately, his night was cut short late in the third quarter when he exited with a right hip contusion. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said after the game that the team would evaluate Mitchell's status the following day.

"He has been great all year, so we're not surprised when he has a little burst like that," Daigneault said of Mitchell. "He set the tone in the first quarter of the game. He got it going on all three levels. He continues to defend his position really well and continues to make the right play, make the right passes. ... He just continues to grow and progress. He's doing a great job."

Kenrich Williams also chipped in 18 points for the Thunder, providing a steady veteran presence as the team navigated its injury woes. Meanwhile, Cason Wallace made his presence felt on both ends of the floor, racking up four steals, nine points, two rebounds, two assists, and a block in 31 minutes. Wallace's tenacity on defense helped the Thunder force eight Milwaukee turnovers in the first quarter alone, setting the tone for a night of relentless pressure.

But the story of the night, once again, was Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder superstar was nearly unstoppable, shooting a jaw-dropping 16-for-19 from the field, including a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond the arc. His ability to control the tempo, create for teammates, and score from all over the floor left the Bucks searching for answers. According to Field Level Media, "Gilgeous-Alexander then took over in the third. The reigning MVP scored 15 points and the Thunder continued to hold down Antetokounmpo as they went into the fourth up 22."

Gilgeous-Alexander's performance wasn't just impressive — it was historic. He became only the third player in NBA history to record at least 40 points and 10 assists in a game while shooting at least 80% from the field (84.2%), joining the legendary Wilt Chamberlain and Immanuel Quickley. Even more remarkable, Gilgeous-Alexander has now scored at least 20 points in 115 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in league history, trailing only Chamberlain's 126-game run.

On the other side, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists in 31 minutes, shooting 8-for-11 from the field. Yet, the Thunder's defense, spearheaded by Lu Dort, made life difficult for the two-time MVP. Dort, giving up several inches in height, battled Antetokounmpo from the opening whistle, denying him the ball, cutting off drives, and forcing three turnovers. "It was great defensive effort," Daigneault said. "It was great game plan execution. ... Back-to-back games, (Dort) has guarded (Donovan) Mitchell and Giannis (Antetokounmpo), two very different covers. It just shows his range defensively and his impact."

Milwaukee did get a spark from Cole Anthony, who scored 17 points off the bench, but the Bucks could never overcome their slow start. The Thunder led by double digits from midway through the first quarter and never looked back, maintaining at least a 14-point cushion for the rest of the game and peaking with a 25-point advantage. The Bucks have now lost four of their last five games, and for the first time since 2016 — and only the fifth time in franchise history — they've dropped back-to-back home games by more than 20 points. The loss also marks the fourth consecutive regular-season defeat to the Thunder, not counting last season's NBA Cup championship clash.

Despite the adversity, the Thunder's resilience and depth have been on full display. The team's ability to adapt and thrive, even with so many key players sidelined, speaks volumes about their championship pedigree and the coaching acumen of Daigneault. As Gilgeous-Alexander put it, "The way we see it is we're going to have to play the game whether we want to or not. We might as well go out there and get better. We might as well go out there and take advantage of the opportunity, and that's what every night is about. No matter the circumstance, it's an opportunity to play through the circumstances and get better. And we did so tonight."

The Thunder now look ahead to their next challenge, as they prepare to host the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center on Friday, January 23. The Bucks, meanwhile, will try to regroup before welcoming the Denver Nuggets on the same night. With injuries piling up and momentum slipping, Milwaukee faces some tough questions as the season enters a critical stretch.

For Oklahoma City, though, this victory serves as another statement to the rest of the NBA: even short-handed, they're a force to be reckoned with. The Thunder's blend of star power, depth, and tenacity has them firmly in the championship conversation, and nights like this only reinforce their status as one of the league's most dangerous teams.