NBA

NBA Preseason 2019: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores game-high 24 points in OKC debut vs. Dallas Mavericks

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

If his preseason debut for the Oklahoma City Thunder is anything to go by, Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looks primed for a great sophomore season. 

On Tuesday night, with Chris Paul's playing limited minutes, SGA took full advantage. 

Playing 26 minutes, he finished with 24 points and four rebounds on an efficient shooting clip of 7-of-12 (58.3%) from the field and 4-of-8 (50.0%) from beyond the arc. 

Eventually, the Thunder came away with the comfortable 119-104 win over the Dallas Mavericks, in a game that was the first of the preseason for both teams.

MORE: Ben Simmons nails 3-pointer in 58-point win

Gilgeous-Alexander came off an impressive rookie season for the Los Angeles Clippers, where he averaged 10.8 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.8 rebounds, earning a spot on the All-Rookie Second Team. 

He played an important role at point guard, starting 73 regular-season games for the Clippers last season, who were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Golden State Warriors in six games. 

In the offseason, he was shipped to the Thunder as part of the monster deal that dealt Paul George to the Clippers. 

SGA and the Thunder continue their preseason against the NBL's New Zealand Breakers on Thursday night at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. 

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