Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Sends Clear Message After Thunder Make History
The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their historic pace during the 2024-25 NBA season against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night. They won a commanding 125-104 ball game over the Grizzlies, collecting their 61st win of the season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was bound to field questions about the unprecedented heights for Oklahoma City.
The Thunder superstar led the way for his team, dropping 37 points without even hitting a single 3-point shot in the win. It was business as usual for the Thunder, who made franchise history in the process.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after a win at Paycom Center.Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
61 wins in a single season is a new team record for the Thunder, eclipsing the previous best mark of 60-22 by the 2012-23 team. It should be noted that the Seattle SuperSonics did have a 64-win season in 1995-96, so this record would only include the Oklahoma City years. That being said, the mark of 64 wins is very likely to be toppled before season's end too.
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Joel Lorenzi asked Gilgeous-Alexander what the record meant to him. The response was predictable.
"It's cool. My ultimate goal, our team's ultimate goal is not to set a franchise record, it's to hoist the trophy at the end of the season, and that's what we're after. So it's cool, but it doesn't feel like stuff."
-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
When a follow-up question was asked about whether this was a sign of any sort, the MVP candidate added the following statement.
"Yeah, absolutely [it's a sign]. Nothing that we didn't already know, though. We know we're a good basketball team, and we've done a really good job of staying the course this year, and we look up, and we're getting things done, because we're taking it day by day, and that's sort of just what that is."
-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Related: Bill Simmons Suggests Blockbuster OKC Thunder Trade for 2025 NBA Draft
The Thunder continue to hold one of the best net ratings in basketball history. They're currently second all-time in the category. The four other teams in the top five have all won championships.
Related: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Joins Elite NBA Company After Thunder's Win Over Kings
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