During Thursday night's 96-84 win over Denver, OKC Thunder fans saw something they haven't seen in nearly two full years -- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored less than 20 points in a game.
In 35 minutes played against the visiting Nuggets, SGA was held to just 17 points on 6-for-19 shooting from the floor.
Now, while it's easy to say that Denver's stout defense was the primary factor in this streak-snapping performance -- after all, they absolutely brought the house down on the two-time MVP during the contest --, in the end, there was one person, in particular, who kept him from hitting the 20-point mark.
As coach Mark Daigneault revealed postgame, that person was, in fact, Shai himself.
Thunder star was the deciding factor in snapping 20-point streak
While speaking to the media, the former Coach of the Year told reporters that "he asked out of the game" once he saw the Nuggets were putting in their reserves when down 17 at the 1:43 mark in the fourth period.
Once the Thunder superstar stepped up to the podium for his own media availability, he admitted that he did so not because of fatigue or any pressure to keep his streak alive.
Instead, he said he did it out of "respect" for the game.
"I was going to go out there, and then I had seen they had subbed. Then I was just like, we should sub too. I feel like you always treat the game with respect," Gilgeous-Alexander said.
Against a white-flag-waving Nuggets lineup consisting of Ryan Nembhard, DaRon Holmes II,
Trevon Brazile, Bryce Hopkins, and Alpha Diallo, there's no question that Gilgeous-Alexander could have bum-rushed his way to the three points he needed to reach 20.
Instead, SGA decided to keep things classy, taking the high road and letting his streak die at 141 straight games.
As coach Daigneault accurately put it, "it shows tremendous class" seeing Shai optionally putting an end to his historic stretch.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander already eyeing another 20-point streak
With this 20-point stretch now over, Gilgeous-Alexander may already be looking to start another for himself.
At least, that's what he seemed to suggest post-game, when he told reporters, "God willing, I have many more games to start another streak."
Now, for those wondering, Wilt Chamberlain and Kevin Durant are the two most notable players trailing Shai in this particular category, with the former holding the second- and third-longest streaks at 126 and 92, respectively, while the latter's mark of 72 games ranks fourth.
With this in mind, outside of SGA's record-setting mark, the numbers he'll now be looking to surpass are clear as day.
Of course, considering his previous remarks on career aspirations, one shouldn't be surprised if he puts this pursuit of another 20-point streak on the back burner in favor of other, more coveted accolades.
Add us as a preferred source on Google