Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Jersey Trends Fantasy Impact

Why OKC and SGA Are So Popular

On-Court Success and MVP Case

You don’t need us to tell you that this rise in popularity didn’t come out of thin air.

The Thunder ended the 2024-25 regular season with a conference-leading 68-14 record, en route to a Finals berth. They enter the latter half of the 2025-26 season with a league-leading 30-plus wins, and oddsmakers are high on OKC to defend their NBA title.

As for SGA, he continues to produce at a high level and is jockeying with Lakers guard Luka Doncic for most points scored across the league. Sportsbooks are also favoring Gilgeous-Alexander to repeat as MVP.

Marketing and Global Appeal

Naturally, SGA and the Thunder’s success has led to growing popularity across the globe. The team’s young core, led by Gilgeous-Alexander and teammates like Chet Holmgren, makes the Thunder a hit with younger basketball fans. (It doesn’t hurt, either, that SGA is on the cover of NBA 2K26.)

Fantasy Basketball Translation

Elite Stats and Categories

Back in the fantasy basketball world, Gilgeous-Alexander is a top-5 asset across multiple league formats (categories, points, you name it) because of his two-way playing abilities. 

SGA is averaging over 30 points and over 50% field goal productivity per game this season and leads his team with over six assists per game, plus posting roughly 4.5 rebounds per night. His efficiency makes him a high-value scoring threat, while he is also consistent in rebounds, assists, and steals.  

Team Context Boost

This isn’t a one-man show: The Thunder as a whole are playing top-notch basketball, which allows superstars like Gilgeous-Alexander to shine.

In addition to OKC’s scoring prowess, the team also has a sturdy defense. (As of this posting, the Thunder are allowing the fewest points of any NBA team.) This balance leads to more on-court time for SGA, opening the door for him to tally even more field goals, assists, etc, and rack up fantasy points.

Rest-of-Season Reliability

Health is paramount when it comes to fantasy sustainability, so some fantasy managers may be raising their eyebrows at the Thunder listing SGA out a couple of early-January games with a reported ankle sprain. However, his absence is speculated to be more precautionary than serious. 

Think of this as one of those cart-before-the-horse situations and don’t jump to any big conclusions: Gilgeous-Alexander’s fantasy stock shouldn’t take a big hit just because he sits out a couple of games. Managers in season-long leagues shouldn’t be too worried yet, and managers in head-to-head leagues can make short-term roster adjustments without needing a trade. 

Impact on Thunder Teammates

Chet Holmgren and Others

So what does SGA’s fantasy dominance mean for the rest of the squad?

Holmgren is a top-tier get in category leagues because of his elite shot-blocking abilities. However, he isn’t as strong in points leagues since he loses offensive production to Gilgeous-Alexander, despite his high field-goal percentage efficiency. The same goes for fellow big man Isaiah Hartenstein, who is a good late-round fantasy pick due to his defensive strengths and low turnover rate.

Fellow guards, such as Jalen Williams, will have lower fantasy upside since the playing time and scoring opportunities will go to SGA first. But don’t count players like Williams out of your fantasy wishlist completely…

Streaming Options

OKC’s supporting cast has a handful of streaming options for fantasy leagues if Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t playing. Ajay Mitchell is a strong bench player and a fantasy must-start when SGA and other stars are sidelined. Aaron Wiggins is another viable streaming option since he can shoulder a strong workload even when the Thunder are healthy. And if you need someone to beef up your steals category, Cason Wallace (who, not coincidentally, leads the team in that area) is a player to stream.

Manager Takeaways

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s popularity isn’t just a bunch of hype. His two-way playing ability led him to accolades last season, not to mention a boost in merchandise sales. But he remains a star player and an elite fantasy option on top of that. Managers should hold SGA and play him often, even though he may occasionally sit out a game or two for precautionary reasons. 

CTA: Enjoy the ride. This player is a fantasy juggernaut.

People Also Ask

Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s jersey the top seller right now?
Yes. By late 2025, SGA’s jersey was sitting at or near the top of NBA sales, reflecting his MVP run and Finals spotlight.

Why has the Oklahoma City Thunder’s popularity exploded?
It’s pretty simple. A league-best record paired with Shai’s MVP season turned the Thunder into one of the NBA’s hottest teams.

Does SGA’s popularity really matter for fantasy basketball?
It does. Star-level popularity usually means heavy usage, and SGA continues to deliver elite fantasy production night after night.

Who’s the best Thunder fantasy option besides SGA?
Chet Holmgren stands out. His shot-blocking and rebounding make him extremely valuable, especially in category leagues.

Where does Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rank for rest-of-season fantasy value?
He’s firmly in the top five overall and remains one of the safest elite fantasy plays in the game.