Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Continues Historic Postseason Run

Coming into the 2025 NBA playoffs, many questions surrounded league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to lead this Thunder team to an NBA championship. Could the Thunder superstar continue his brilliance when the lights are at their brightest? It’s safe to say that those doubts have been put to rest and then some.

SGA dropped his 15th 30-point game of the postseason in the Thunder’s game five win in the NBA Finals, becoming the 4th player in NBA playoff history to accomplish this feat. The other three players with whom SGA is in prestigious company are Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Kobe Bryant.

Franchise and NBA Records Galore

While the previous record is the most eye-popping one that SGA has broken, it is not the only one he has eclipsed. SGA also eclipsed Thunder great Kevin Durant for the most points in a single postseason run in franchise history, a feat Durant accomplished during the Thunder’s first run to the NBA Finals in 2012. The league MVP also surpassed some legends of the game in another category, eclipsing LeBron James and Michael Jordan for the most 30-point and 5-assist games in a single playoff, with 12.

Where Could SGA’s Historic Year Rank All-Time?

If and when the Oklahoma City Thunder hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy this week, many discussions will be had about the ranking of SGA’s brilliant year all-time. The Thunder superstar is currently the betting favorite to win the NBA Finals MVP, which would make SGA only the second player in NBA history to win the scoring title, league MVP, and Finals MVP in the same season. This legendary feat will undoubtedly be a notch in SGA’s belt as it pertains to all-time rankings for both the season he has had and his place among the pantheon of all-time players in NBA history.

Final Thoughts

At the age of 26, SGA still has plenty of time left to etch his name alongside the greatest players of all time. The youth of the Thunder and the brilliance of SGA could see the emergence of a new dynasty in the NBA, but both the Thunder and SGA will have to get the job done in this Finals before those talks begin. Nonetheless, this legendary season from SGA will be remembered and discussed heavily for years to come.