Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins Hall of Fame company with Game 5 performance

The previous three won an NBA championship and were named Finals MVP following their incredible runs. 

Bryant ended the 2008-09 playoffs with 15 30-point games, while Jordan and Olajuwon are tied for the record (16 games). 

Gilgeous-Alexander, like Jordan and Olajuwon, needed 21 playoff games to reach 15 30-point games. The Hall of Famers had 30-point efforts in their following games, closing out the two series. 

With the Thunder leading the best-of-seven NBA Finals 3-2, Gilgeous-Alexander could join them on Thursday's Game 6 with another monster performance. If so, he'll also likely clinch Finals MVP.

Per ESPN Bet, Gilgeous-Alexander (-550) is a significant favorite to receive the award, with teammate Jalen Williams, who scored a game-high 40 points in Monday's win, second (+700). 

Through five 2025 Finals games, Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder in scoring (32.4 points per game) on 47.4/30/92 percent shooting splits. He's also first on the team in assists (25) and blocks (nine) and second in steals (12).

Thanks to his latest masterpiece, Gilgeous-Alexander is in rarefied air. If people are the company they keep, then the Thunder star is already standing among the game's giants.