The 2025-26 National Basketball Association is only a week old, and so far we have had three players lead his team to a victory by scoring 50 or more points. Let’s take a look at who these three players are.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The reigning NBA MVP was simply magnificent in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s second game of the season on Thursday, as Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Toronto, Ontario scored a career-high 55 points in a 141-135 Thunder win over the Indiana Pacers in a rematch of the 2025 NBA Finals. Gilgeous-Alexander made 15 of 31 field goals, 23 of 26 free throws, and two of seven three-point attempts. It was the Thunder’s second straight win in double overtime as they beat the Houston Rockets 125-124 a week ago.
Austin Reaves
On Sunday, Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Austin Reaves of Newark, Arkansas recorded a career-high 51 points in a 127-120 Lakers win over the Sacramento Kings. Reaves made 12 of 22 field goals, six of 10 three point shots, and 21 of 22 field goals. He added the double-double as he had 11 rebounds. The Lakers won despite the fact that Luka Doncic was not playing because of a finger sprain and leg contusion, and LeBron James did not play because of sciatica.
Lauri Markkanen
On Monday, Lauri Markkanen of Finland set the NBA record for most points in a game by a Finnish-born player with 51 in a 138-134 Jazz win over the Phoenix Suns. Markkanen made 14 of 32 field goals, all 17 free throws, and had 14 rebounds. Markkanen had the old record for most points in a game by a Finnish born player. He had 49 points in a 131-114 Jazz win over the Houston Rockets on January 5, 2023.
