Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is crafting a legacy that seems to grow by the minute. As the reigning MVP, he joined the elite company of legends like Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Kobe Bryant by becoming the fourth player ever to rack up 30+ points in at least 15 games during a playoff run. But SGA is more than just a scorer—he’s a game-changer with his playmaking, defensive prowess, and relentless hustle.
In Monday’s pivotal Game 5 triumph, SGA showcased an all-around masterclass with 31 points, four blocks, two steals, and 10 assists, marking the first time anyone has recorded such numbers in a Finals game. This wasn’t just a scoring spree; it was a testament to his evolving impact on every facet of the game.
Racking up stats like a video game character, the Toronto native has amassed a staggering 638 points, 114 rebounds, 136 assists, 37 steals, and 18 blocks over 21 playoff games in the Thunder’s formidable campaign. Along the journey, he’s shattered the record for most 30-point, five-assist games in a single postseason, surpassing both Jordan and LeBron James, who maxed out at 11—SGA took it higher, hitting 12 of such games, setting a new NBA milestone.
What made Monday’s performance remarkable was SGA’s unselfishness, particularly his willingness to play within the offense and elevate his teammates. With Jalen Williams stepping up and Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard applying constant pressure, SGA took only six shots in the first half. Yet, he found ways to tilt the game in his team’s favor through deft playmaking and tenacious defense. His 10 assists in the game matched the highest for any game this postseason. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault commended SGA’s growing role as a playmaker, highlighting how he’s learned to respond when defenses focus on him.
“He’s getting better every year in just about everything,” Daigneault remarked, emphasizing how SGA has elevated his playmaking. “He’s learned when teams load up on him and over-commit to get off it early, and I think that’s been key to our offensive success this season,” Daigneault added via NBA.com’s Shaun Powell.
As SGA stands on the brink of potentially winning the Finals MVP, he’d join an exclusive club with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O’Neal—players who have managed to win the scoring title, regular season MVP, and Finals MVP all in one season. Such an achievement would undeniably cement Gilgeous-Alexander’s place among the greats in basketball history.
