Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Toronto, Ontario recorded his first National Basketball Association career postseason double double on Monday as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Houston Rockets 117-114 in game four of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. In 43 minutes and 54 seconds on the court for Oklahoma City, he had 18 points and 12 rebounds. With the win, the Thunder tied their best out of seven series at two games apiece. The series is taking place in Orlando, Florida, because of coronavirus.
Gilgeous-Alexander made seven of 17 field goal attempts, two of five three-point attempts, and both of his two free throw attempts. Of Gilgeous-Alexander’s 12 rebounds, 10 were defensive rebounds and two were offensive rebounds. He also had six assists, and was -1 on the court.
In four postseason games, Gilgeous-Alexander leads all players with 41.3 minutes per game. A genuine workhorse, he is averaging 20.3 points per game, 7.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
In other Canadian basketball news, Jamal Murray of Kitchener, Ontario set the Canadian record for most points in a game (50) on Sunday in the Denver Nuggets’ 129-127 loss to the Utah Jazz in game four of the first round of the Western Conference quarterfinals. Unfortunately, Murray’s 50 points were overshadowed by the 51 points scored by Jazz superstar Donovan Mitchell. Murray held the previous record for most points scored in a game by a Canadian. He had 48 points in the Nuggets 115-107 win over the Boston Celtics on November 5, 2018.
