OKLAHOMA CITY, USA – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a stunning 40-point performance despite battling illness, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 113-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, November 26, 2025 (Thursday, November 27 EAT). The win, their 10th in succession, elevates the Thunder to a historic 18-1 season start, a feat achieved by only four other teams in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The game, held at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, was a crucial matchup in the new NBA Cup, the league's in-season tournament. With this victory, the Thunder improved to a perfect 4-0 record in West Group A, positioning themselves strongly for the knockout stages.

Star Player's Historic Streak Continues

Gilgeous-Alexander, who was listed as questionable on the pregame injury report, was instrumental in the win, shooting 12-for-19 from the field and converting 15 of his 17 free throws. His performance extended a remarkable personal record: he has now scored at least 20 points in 91 consecutive games. This is the third-longest such streak in NBA history, behind only two legendary runs by Wilt Chamberlain. He has the opportunity to match Chamberlain's second-longest streak of 92 games in the Thunder's next fixture.

"I felt good enough to play," Gilgeous-Alexander stated in a post-game press conference on Wednesday. "I was a little more tired out there than usual, but I did enough to get the job done tonight."

The Minnesota Timberwolves, last season's Western Conference finals runners-up to the Thunder, fought hard but ultimately succumbed to their third consecutive loss. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 31 points and eight rebounds, but the team was hampered by poor free-throw shooting, making only 22 of 37 attempts.

Global Significance of the NBA Cup

While the game has no direct ties to Kenya, its context within the inaugural NBA Cup highlights the league's continuous efforts to innovate and expand its global audience. The tournament, which sees all 30 NBA teams compete for a new trophy, introduces a new layer of competition to the regular season, with group stage games counting towards both the tournament and overall season standings. This format is designed to create more high-stakes matchups throughout the season, increasing international viewership and engagement.

The Thunder's dominant performance and historic start to the season are significant storylines for basketball enthusiasts worldwide, including a growing fanbase in Kenya and across East Africa. Gilgeous-Alexander's individual achievements further cement his status as one of the league's premier talents.

In another key NBA Cup game on Wednesday, the Toronto Raptors secured their place in the quarter-finals with a narrow 97-95 home victory over the Indiana Pacers. A last-second jumper from Brandon Ingram, who scored 26 points, clinched the win for the Raptors, who finished the group stage with a perfect 4-0 record.

Upcoming Fixtures

Looking ahead, the Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Phoenix Suns in their final NBA Cup group stage game on Friday, November 28 (Saturday, November 29 EAT). The Minnesota Timberwolves will aim to break their losing streak when they welcome the Boston Celtics on Saturday, November 29 (Sunday, November 30 EAT).