Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Wild Data Exposes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander In Comparison To Anthony Edwards

Originally posted on Fadeaway World | By Siddhant Gupta | Last updated May 20, 2025 8:15 AM ET

The WCF matchup featuring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards is set up to be one for the ages. With two of the most gifted young players in the league going head-to-head, the series is bound to be an exciting one.

Both players are highly touted for their extensive offensive range and versatility. To this extent, Gilgeous-Alexander, the league's scoring champion, has a bit of an upper hand against the Wolves star from a statistical point of view.

However, a recent statistic has displayed something very interesting from a comparative point of view between the two stars.

OKC's star may have the scoring title, but he has often been accused of foul-baiting to increase his output from the free-throw line. To confirm this, the statistic showcased the most points scored by both players in games without a single free-throw attempt. The results were jarring.

The most points the OKC star has managed to score without recording a free-throw attempt was found to be just 26 points. Considering that he averages 32.7 points per game in the regular season, these figures seem absurd in some sense.

It is important to note that much of his game is based on manipulating the defense and getting them out of position to secure foul calls. However, it is also understandable why this is looked down upon by many.

Meanwhile, Edwards seems to be cut from a very different cloth. The 23-year-old also had himself a spectacular season, emerging as the league's leader in three-pointers made in the process.

While putting up an average of 27.6 points per game in the regular season, the Wolves guard has sustained this standard in the playoffs as well. In comparison to the Thunder guard, however, Edwards seems to be a vastly different type of player.

Anthony Edwards comes with a whopping 42-point performance as his highest-scoring game without a single free-throw attempt, 16 points more than the OKC guard. While this is primarily a reflection of Edwards' offensive ability, it is also a clear depiction of the differences in their approach to the game.

Edwards has embraced a very different role for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander has gone out and established himself as the primary offensive force on the floor whenever OKC plays.

The clash between the two is going to be interesting. There has been a bit of a rivalry brewing between the two, and Edwards' intensity tends to pair well against SGA's relatively cool and composed demeanor.

The two diametrically opposite personality types lend to the creation of an intriguing narrative that could headline the NBA for years to come. First, however, the two are due to face off in Game 1 of the WCF at the Paycom Center.

With the Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the Timberwolves for the first game of the series, they will certainly hope to protect their status as the top seed in the West on Tuesday, May 20th at 8:30 pm ET.

This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: