Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder steamrolled the Orlando Magic 113-108 for a road victory on Tuesday to extend their winning streak to nine games now.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, was again front and centre. His 40-point outburst helped OKC secure a playoff berth, positioning his team for a back-to-back championship run. The NBA world couldn’t stop raving about SGA’s outstanding scoring night.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 40-Point Outing vs. Orlando Magic Sends NBA World Into a Frenzy
SGA has been a force to reckon with throughout the 2025–26 season. The 2025 NBA champion carried momentum from earlier in the week, when he broke Wilt Chamberlain’s record for the longest 20-point streak. Against the Magic, SGA was locked in from the start; however, his most impactful scoring burst came in the second half.
SGA lit up the scoreboard for 28 points in the second half of the game. It included an outstanding 19-point outburst in the third quarter, with a ridiculous 91% true shooting percentage.
Meanwhile, OKC doubled down on the Magic with a relentless attack in the paint, scoring 54 points compared to the Magic’s 32 in that area.
Apart from SGA, rising centre Chet Holmgren also contributed 20 points to help OKC cruise past the Magic. With the win, OKC became the first team in the league to clinch a confirmed spot in the NBA playoffs.
THE THUNDER HAVE CLINCHED A PLAYOFF BERTH ⚡
The defending champs are officially ready to try and go back-to-back 🏆 pic.twitter.com/VSbLues7Mo
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 18, 2026
At the final buzzer, SGA filled the stat sheet with 40 points, five rebounds, and four steals, shooting 14-of-27 (51.85%) from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. His head-turning performance impressed league personalities and notable NBA figures.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tonight:
40 points (19 in third)
5 rebounds
4 steals
14/27 FG
3/5 3POKC has now won 9 straight. pic.twitter.com/fHrbhP9RnG
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 18, 2026
“Thunder win 9th straight, at Orlando, where Magic was 21-11. SGA: 40 … 28 in 2nd half. Yet another down-the-stretch MVP performance. Man is unreal,” veteran NBA commentator Skip Bayless noted.
Thunder win 9th straight, at Orlando, where Magic was 21-11. SGA: 40 … 28 in 2nd half. Yet another down-the-stretch MVP performance. Man is unreal.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) March 18, 2026
“Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker combined for 81 points on 26-of-48 shooting against the Magic in the last 36 hours,” Clemente Almanza, managing editor of Thunder Wire, wrote on X.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker combined for 81 points on 26-of-48 shooting against the Magic in the last 36 hours
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) March 18, 2026
“SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER TONIGHT:
40 POINTS
5 REBOUNDS
4 STEALS
14/27 FG
3/5 3PT
36 MINUTES
The best player in the world,” @big_business_ asserted, spotlighting SGA’s record-breaking streak.
SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER TONIGHT:
40 POINTS
5 REBOUNDS
4 STEALS
14/27 FG
3/5 3PT
36 MINUTESThe best player in the world pic.twitter.com/1tb4eaM7cd
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) March 18, 2026
“Shai with a 19-point third quarter on 91% true shooting lol,” Thunder Film Room wrote, highlighting the best scoring stretch of SGA’s game vs. the Magic.
“SGA is so smooth. 😮💨 Makes it look easy,” The Hoop Central summed up.
SGA is so smooth. 😮💨
Makes it look easy.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 18, 2026
The Thunder, now 54–15 and the best in the league, will shift their attention to the postseason. Head coach Mark Daigneault and company still have 13 games before the playoffs and can use this stretch to identify and fix any lingering loopholes on both ends of the floor.
Their next clash is against the 13th-seeded Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, March 18. It will be an opportunity for the OKC to extend its winning streak to 10 games.
