Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ready to shoulder another champion run after incredible Game 3 win over Suns

With Jalen Williams out, reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander used Game 3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder's first-round series with the Phoenix Suns to remind everyone the defending champs will be just fine as long as he's on the court.

Gilgeous-Alexander had arguably the best games of his already-prolific playoff career in Saturday's 121-109 win, finishing with a playoff career-high 42 points on shooting 15-of-18 from the field and 11-of-12 from the foul line while adding eight assists, four rebounds and a steal in 38 minutes.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander masterpiece shows why Thunder are just fine without injured Jalen Williams

The 2025 Finals MVP's incredible game should diminish fears that Oklahoma City's title defense may be compromised with Williams (hamstring) out. He suffered a strain in the third quarter of a Game 2 win. While the Thunder won, the Suns trimmed the lead once Williams left. And with the series shifting to Phoenix, Oklahoma City could have been forgiven for experiencing a Game 3 letdown.

Instead, Gilgeous-Alexander carried the Thunder to a third consecutive double-digit victory and put them a win away from a first-round series sweep for the third year in a row.

He feasted from mid-range — a lost art in today's game that emphasizes shots at the rim and beyond the three-point line — going 7-of-8 on jump shots inside the arc. Gilgeous-Alexander was on fire from the opening tip, going perfect from the court in the first half and not missing his first shot until a 26-foot three-pointer midway through the third quarter.