Shai Gilgeous-Alexander aimed higher after scoring a career-best 54 points in the Oklahoma City Thunder's win over the Utah Jazz, saying he "could've had a lot more". (More NBA News)
The NBA MVP candidate was 17-of-35 from the field and made 1🌳7 of his 18 free throws in a 123-114 win on Wednesday, also adding eig💎ht rebounds and five assists.
He became the first Thunder player to post a half-century of points since Russell Westbrook had 50 against the D💯enver Nuggets in 2017.
However, the two-time All-Star does not believe Wednesday's performance was his best of the season, saying: "It's always fu⛎n, 🏅I guess, to get career-highs.
"It's always fun to kno🦋ck things off your list, and to have the support of the city behind you is special, for su🎉re.
"I felt like I could've had a lot more, and I know that's go💝ing to sound very spoilt.
"I feel like I didn't really have that great of a night, left a few on the table, but there's room to improve and that's a good th🀅in💯g.
"ওI wasn't my best ಌtonight, regardless of what the scoreboard says. I feel like I've had better games this season."
Gꦡilgeous-Alexander has averaged a league-high 32 points𝔉 per game in 2024-25, surpassing the exploits of fellow MVP contenders Giannis Antetokounmpo (31.5), Nikola Jokic (30.1) and Jayson Tatum (27.4).
He is now viewed by many as the hot favourite to land the NBA's top individual ꦓprize, and chants of 'MVP' rang around Paycom Center throughout Wednesday's game.
Asked about those chants after the game, Gilgeous-Alexander said:ඣ "They feel good every time I get them. I don't take them for granted."
The Thunder are now up to 36-7, the leagu🌜e's joint-best record alongside the Cleveland Cavaliers and 7.5 games better than that of the Memphis Grizzlies, their closest rivals in the Western Conferenℱce.
They have won six of their last seven games, the exception being a ♈106-98 road loss to the Dallas Mavericks, who they host in their next game on Thursday.
