Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has already put together a historic season. His scoring and efficiency have gotten even better, and he is the current favorite to win MVP on the best team in the NBA. He scored 32 points in a win over the Sacramento Kings, which put him in historic company. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has now scored 30 or more points 45 times this season. He has played in a total of 68 games. This puts another feather in the cap of Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s excellent season. With his current production, it will not be long before he reaches 46.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Season
In the Thunder’s 121-105 victory over the Kings, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Oklahoma City was down multiple starters as Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace were both out. But, even more interestingly, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t have a great game by his standards. He shot 10-of-23 from the field, which is not efficient, clocking in at 43%. This season he is averaging 52% from the field. Still, he got to his season average of 32 points. It shows how undeniable his production has become, where 32 points on 43% shooting are considered an off-night.
But despite this, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander still played like himself. He got to his spots, commanded the offense, and had moments where he was completely unstoppable. It also helps that he shot 3-of-6 from three. The three-point shot has been a valuable addition to his repertoire this season, along with his midrange and attacking ability. Gilgeous-Alexander has become an effective scorer from anywhere on the court, and his improvements from beyond the arc have played a huge part in that.
Many NBA fans have criticized Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his scoring because of his free throws. Against the Kings, he shot 9-of-10 at the charity stripe. While he does get to the free-throw line at a considerable rate, he is also one of the best scorers in the NBA. He leads the league in points per game, has 45 30-point games this season, and has scored 20 or more points in 65 consecutive games.
He has had one of the most productive scoring seasons in recent memory, and it does not boil down to free throws. Players like Jalen Brunson, Jimmy Butler, and James Harden have frequented the free-throw line, but do not face the same backlash.
The Thunder’s Success
The Thunder are at the top of the NBA standings with a 60-12 record. They are the best team by record and by performance, holding victories over teams like the Celtics, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Rockets, Grizzlies, and others. Their offense is helmed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is the engine that makes the team run. He is someone they can turn to whenever they need a basket, and when the game slows down in the fourth quarter, he is the man to win it.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also contributes to the Thunder’s stifling defense. Oklahoma City boasts one of the best defenses in the league. When looking up and down their roster, it is difficult to find a single weakness on that side of the ball. They have players like Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso, who can defend guards, Lu Dort and Jalen Williams, who can guard wings, and Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren in the paint. Gilgeous-Alexander makes their offense difficult to stop, but their defense may be even tougher to penetrate.
Final Thoughts
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had an excellent season and is the current MVP favorite. If he does win the MVP and the Thunder remain atop the NBA, they should be championship favorites. Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30-point game milestone and his 20-point game streak are just the tip of the iceberg for what he can accomplish this season.
