Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had a historic start to the 2024-25 NBA season as the Oklahoma City Thunder continues to lead the Western Conference. They have a 42-9 record entering Monday’s game vs. the New Orleans Pelicans, who enter Oklahoma City with a 12-40 record. The Thunder will look for a six-game winning streak, while the Pelicans will try to snap an eight-game losing skid.
Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, is an up-and-coming NBA player and point guard for the Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander’s latest news headline was impressive, to put it mildly. He has scored 1,633 points and recorded a free throw percentage of 89.98% in his first 50 games of the 2024-25 season. He joined greatness, as the only other NBA player to achieve both achievements was Rick Barry. He achieved this feat in the 1974-75 season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Achievement
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was back in the news cycle. With 32 points in Oklahoma City Thunder’s 125-112 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, Gilgeous-Alexander joined Barry with his 1,633 points since the Charlotte Hornets drafted him with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft out of Kentucky. Barry, 80, was best known as a point guard for the San Francisco/Golden State Warriors for eight seasons.
According to OptaSTATS, “In his 50 games this season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 1,633 points and has a free-throw percentage of 89.98%. The only other player to hit both those marks through his first 50 games of a season is Rick Barry, who did so in 1974-75.” OptaSTATS’ post on X attracted some attention, with one user writing, “The granny-style free throw was elite.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Stats
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is no stranger to success on the court. Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 32.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 52.8% from the field and 35.2% from downtown this season. He has averaged 24.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 50.1% from the field and 34.9% from downtown during his career.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder with 32 points, along with eight assists and two blocks, in Sunday’s 125-112 win over the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum in downtown Memphis. Aaron Wiggins added 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists. Sunday’s game was the perfect example of an exciting NBA matchup between the top two teams in the Western Conference.
Final Thoughts
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a Canadian point guard on the rise. The NBA world should be terrified by his inside-the-arc production. Gilgeous-Alexander is the current favorite to win the NBA MVP, thanks to him being a force behind the Western Conference-leading Thunder’s success in the 2024-25 NBA season. He has averaged 13 points per 100 possessions, the largest single-season net rating since the 1996 Chicago Bulls.
Gilgeous-Alexander is virtually unstoppable when he’s inside the arc. He currently ranks fourth in single-season scoring with 34.6 points per 75 possessions, trailing just the 1987 Michael Jordan, 2019 James Harden, and 2023 Joel Embiid. His production has impressed the general public, but his efficiency should also impress everyone. His stats showcase his excellence in any area inside the arc at the moment.
