Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates with teammates after hitting a game-winning shot against the Portland Trail Blazers at Paycom Center on December 19, 2022 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder won 123-121. Ian Maule/Getty Images/AFP
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 spoiled the night for Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard, who became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer in the third quarter.
It was Gilgeous-Alexander’s second last-moment, game-winning shot this season. He also accomplished the feat on November 16 at Washington.
Gilgeous-Alexander caught the inbounds pass with three seconds remaining, spun to his right and then elevated over Justise Winslow, launching a floater that dropped through the net as the buzzer sounded to give the Thunder their second consecutive win.
The shot heard round the world 🪣 pic.twitter.com/GGRv5IvTZj
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 20, 2022
Just moments earlier, it looked as if Lillard had sent the game to overtime with a reverse layup to tie the game at 121-121.
Instead, Gilgeous-Alexander finished it off in regulation.
Gilgeous-Alexander struggled from the field much of the game but was 4 of 7 in the fourth quarter. He helped keep Oklahoma City in the game by hitting all 14 of his free-throw chances, including four in the fourth.
Lillard came into the game needing 21 points to pass Clyde Drexler as the leading scorer in Portland history. He tied Drexler early in the third quarter, pulling up well behind the 3-point arc and draining the shot to extend the Trail Blazers’ lead to five.
DAME TIME ⌚️#RipCity | @Dame_Lillard pic.twitter.com/1Nit9qfkmV
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) December 20, 2022
Lillard missed his next three shots but finally grabbed the record at the free-throw line late in the quarter.
In the timeout 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 4-year-old son, Damian Lillard Jr.
Three turnovers in the final 2:08 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 19 seconds 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 6.1 seconds 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.