PORTLAND – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capped a 35-point effort by draining a 14-foot jumper at the buzzer to give the Oklahoma City Thunder a 123-121 victory over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.
The result spoilt the night for Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard, who became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer in the third quarter.
“It’s a great feeling to reach the top,” he was quoted by ESPN as saying.
“It’s been a goal of mine, and the list has so many players, great history of our organisation, so to finally be No. 1 is a special accomplishment that I’m proud of...
“Even during the game tonight, I wasn’t focused on getting to the record. I was playing the game just trying to win. I knew it would happen eventually.”
Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups added: “It’s just a testament to all of the hard work and dedication that he’s put in. And belief. This is a guy who rarely misses games. And when he does miss a game, it’s because he’s actually injured.
“You have to have that type of commitment and dedication to be able to go get those type of numbers every single night when you know all they talk about is stopping you. It’s an incredible feat.”
However, the milestone was tainted by Gilgeous-Alexander’s second last-moment, game-winning shot this season. He also accomplished the feat on Nov 16 at Washington.
Gilgeous-Alexander caught the inbounds pass with three seconds remaining, spun to his right and then rose over Justise Winslow, launching a floater that dropped through the net as the buzzer sounded to give the Thunder their second consecutive win.
Just moments earlier, it looked as if Lillard had sent the game into overtime with a reverse lay-up to tie the game at 121-121.
Instead, Gilgeous-Alexander finished it off in regulation time.
He struggled from the field for much of the game but was four of seven in the fourth quarter. He helped keep Oklahoma City in the game by hitting all 14 of his free-throw attempts, including four in the fourth.
Lillard came into the game needing 21 points to pass Clyde Drexler’s 18,040 total as the leading scorer in Portland history. He tied Drexler early in the third quarter, pulling up well behind the three-point arc and draining the shot to extend their lead to five.
The 32-year-old missed his next three shots but finally grabbed the record at the free-throw line late in the quarter.
In the time-out a few moments after reaching the mark, Lillard received handshakes and hugs from his teammates and coaches as the accomplishment was acknowledged in the arena, drawing a standing ovation from the visiting crowd. Lillard was soon greeted by his four-year-old son, Damian Jr.
“Damian’s commitment to Portland is now encapsulated with this prestigious career milestone,” Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin said in a statement.
“His dedication, humility and hard work have been pillars for his path to this very moment. On behalf of the organisation, we would like to congratulate Damian on this great achievement and look forward to many more.”
Three turnovers in the final 2min 8sec helped sink Portland, with Luguentz Dort’s steal leading to a Gilgeous-Alexander step-back that put Oklahoma City up 116-115 with 1:59 left.
Then with the Trail Blazers up by one with 19sec left, Anfernee Simons reached out and tipped an inbounds pass intended for teammate Lillard, leading to a pair of free throws from Gilgeous-Alexander.
Jalen Williams followed by stealing the ball from Lillard, then hitting one of two free throws with 6.8sec remaining to set up the final sequence.
Lillard finished with 28 points while Jerami Grant added 26 in the loss.
No Thunder player other than Gilgeous-Alexander scored more than 13 points, but six other Oklahoma City players scored in double figures. REUTERS
