OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his scoring prowess once again, amassing 51 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched their 50th win of the season by defeating the Houston Rockets 137-128 on March 3, 2025. This impressive performance marked the fourth time this season Gilgeous-Alexander has reached the 50-point milestone, all occurring over the past seven weeks and solidifying his status as the NBA's scoring leader.
Gilgeous-Alexander was remarkably efficient during the game, making 18 of his 30 field goal attempts, hitting five out of nine from beyond the arc, and converting all ten of his free throw attempts. Notably, he also scored 20 points during the first quarter, setting the tone for what would become another highlight-reel performance.
Jalen Williams supported the Thunder with 24 points, contributing to the team's potent offense. The Rockets managed to keep pace early, with Cam Whitmore tying his career high with 27 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, and Reed Sheppard also enjoying his best career outing with 25 points. Despite these efforts, the Rockets were hampered by injuries, missing key players including Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet, and Tari Eason.
The Rockets started strong, establishing their largest lead of nine points during the early second quarter. Houston led 34-25 at one point, but the Thunder, powered by Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring runs, quickly countered and clutched a narrow lead of 63-62 at halftime.
During the third quarter, the Thunder took control, with Gilgeous-Alexander bringing his point total to 45 by the end of the period. The Thunder entered the final quarter leading 102-89, taking charge of the game as they pivoted their strategy for domination.
Despite the Thunder's solid lead heading to the fourth quarter, the Rockets made one last push, narrowing the gap to just six points late in the game. The Thunder, undeterred, regained their composure as Lu Dort drained back-to-back 3-pointers within 29 seconds of each other, extending Oklahoma City's lead back to 120-106. This strategic play was pivotal, showcasing the Thunder's depth and ability to respond under pressure.
Gilgeous-Alexander's 51 points were capped off with a decisive putback with just under three minutes left on the clock, granting Oklahoma City a commanding 132-120 advantage. His performance exhibited not only his scoring abilities but also his leadership on the court during moments when the team needed it most.
The Thunder's success was not only about star power; they demonstrated excellent free throw shooting, finishing the night by making 24 of their 27 attempts, which highlighted their composure and accuracy under pressure. On the other hand, Houston's fast style was outmatched due to their depleted roster, illustrating the impact of missing several starters as they struggled to maintain pace with one of the league’s deepest teams.
After the game, Thunder head coach praised Gilgeous-Alexander, stating, "His ability to step up when it matters most is incredible. He really took charge out there tonight." Meanwhile, Houston struggled to adjust, with coaches reflecting on how the injuries impacted their overall performance. "Houston played fast but didn’t have the manpower to run with the Thunder," noted one analysis.
Looking forward, the Rockets are set to visit Indiana on March 4 for their next matchup, aiming to bounce back from this loss and leverage the experience gained against Oklahoma City. The Thunder will take on the Memphis Grizzlies on March 5, with hopes of extending their winning streak and consolidifying their positioning for the playoffs.