OKC Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues NBA MVP push against Washington Wizards
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drives to the basket against New York Knicks guard Miles McBride and forward Precious Achiuwa during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will try to bolster his case for his first Most Valuable Player (MVP) award when the Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Washington Wizards on Jan 12 (Jan 13, Singapore time).
The seventh-year guard tallied another 30-point National Basketball Association (NBA) game on Jan 10 to help Oklahoma City bounce back after having their franchise-record 15-game winning streak snapped.
This time, the 26-year-old poured in a game-high 39 points – 15 of 21 from the floor – in just 29 minutes to help the Thunder rout the hosts New York Knicks 126-101.
The two-time All-Star leads the NBA with 22 30-point games this season and is averaging 31.5 points, 5.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per contest.
“He can make it look easy sometimes, but it’s not easy,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.
“And some of that is his growth individually as a player, and just the things slowing down for him as he gains more and more experience. He’s still at the beginning of his prime as a player.”
Playing in a smaller market such as Oklahoma City could hamper Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP campaign, but the dynamic guard is quick to defend the city.
“I love Oklahoma City,” the Canadian told The Oklahoman daily.
“I can’t see a world where I’m not in Oklahoma City. Market, no market, I don’t care. I love where I am. I’m comfortable where I am. I love the people in the organisation, the people around me, and those are the things that matter. I go to work every day with a smile on my face.”
Oklahoma City (31-6) have won their last five meetings against Washington, who have the NBA’s worst record at 6-30.
The Wizards dropped their fifth straight game on Jan 10 in a 138-105 road loss to the Chicago Bulls.
Jordan Poole returned after missing three straight games with a left hip injury and scored 22 points against Chicago. Rookie centre Alex Sarr added 11 points and 11 rebounds for his second double-double in the last three games.
Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon is questionable for the Thunder clash and his absence has created an opportunity for reserve guard Jared Butler, who is averaging 18.8 points and 5.3 assists over his past four games.
Washington are rebuilding around a core of young players, including guard Kyshawn George.
The 21-year-old is shooting just 33.2 per cent from the field and 25.3 per cent from beyond the arc, but coach Brian Keefe remains confident in the rookie.
“Not even worried about that at all,” he told The Post. “The shooting is going to come. That’s stuff that he knows and he’s going to continue to work on. He’s a good shooter.” REUTERS
