Thunder's resilience impresses Shai

Reigning National Basketball Association (NBA) Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fought through illness to score 40 points and lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 10th consecutive victory on Nov 26, while the Detroit Pistons' 13-game winning streak was snapped.

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Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrating the Thunder's 113-105 NBA Cup home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov 26. The star guard had 40 points, six rebounds and six assists despite illness.

(IMAGN IMAGES)

Gilgeous-Alexander, questionable with illness until game time, added six rebounds, six assists and three steals, as the defending champions became only the fifth team in league history to start a season 18-1 or better by outlasting the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-105 in the NBA Cup at home.

"We're just taking it day by day, taking the challenge by the challenge," the star guard said. "Whatever it is, we find a way to come out on top and I'm impressed by this group's ability to do so."

The Pistons, however, had their winning run ended in Boston, where a missed Cade Cunningham free throw in the final seconds proved pivotal in a 117-114 loss to the Celtics.