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Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) controls the ball againstIndiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) during the first half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Too Low on NBA 2K Mid-Range Rating List

Originally posted on Oklahoma City Thunder on SI
By Rylan Stiles | Last updated Aug 13, 2025 8:00 AM ET

The Oklahoma City Thunder have had a busy summer. Among the number of things this roster has done since hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy back in June is superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being picked as the cover athlete for the upcoming NBA 2K26 video game.

This is far from shocking after Gilgeous-Alexander put up a historic season which saw him tabbed as the NBA's MVP, scoring champion, Finals MVP and Western Conference Finals MVP.

Gilgeous-Alexander has been a long-time player of the video game and part of projects with NBA 2K in the past.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have seen the NBA 2K ratings begin to trickle out, as Isaiah Joe was tabbed as a top-ten 3-point shooter according to this year's game. In addition to that, the league's video game has announced the top ten mid-range scorers for this upcoming game.

Top 10 Mid-Range Ratings in NBA 2K26

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets: 98 overall
Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks: 98 overall
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets: 97 overall
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns: 97 overall
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder: 97 overall
Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers: 97 overall
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors: 97 overall
DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento Kings: 96 overall
Mile McBride, New York Knicks: 96 overall
Kris Middleton, Washington Wizards: 96 overall

Note: Ratings are based on a 0-99 scale.

Gilgeous-Alexander being tied with the lacks of Nembhard and only one rating above McBride and Middleton is a big miss by the ratings adjusters.

The mid-range shot is the bread and butter for the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar. Not only is it what allowed the Thunder to capture an NBA Championship but helped Gilgeous-Alexander bag the NBA Finals MVP, Western Conference Finals MVP, and League MVP.

This season, Gilgeous-Alexander was in teh 98th percentile in the mid-range turning shooting that shot at a 51% clip, 48% from the long mid-range and 52% from the short mid-range. To sit below Kyrie Irving –– who is tied for top billing –– is head scratching as well.

If anyone is deserving of a 99 overall rating in a specific skill it is Gilgeous-Alexander in the mid-range, a shot he is single handedly bringing back to the NBA. Not only did he not hit the highest threshold but is tied for third with a crop of players that he has surpassed heading into the 2025-26 NBA season.

Though, these are just small ratings that add up to a player's complete overall ranking. It will be interesting to see where all these players land with an entire body of ratings to look at.

NBA 2K26 is just around the corner with a Sept. 5 release date as the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar dons the cover of this year's game.