UNDISPUTED KING: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander top playoff ranking as sole OKC Thunder on list outshine entire NBA in MVP – level performance
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 2024–25 NBA season has been nothing short of historic, culminating in his first MVP award and leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Western Conference Finals. His performance has solidified his status as one of the league’s elite players.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged a league-best 32.7 points per game, along with 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks, shooting 51.9% from the field. He led the Thunder to a franchise-record 68–14 season, the best in the NBA, with a +12.9 point differential—the highest in league history. His consistent scoring included 75 games with at least 20 points, 49 with 30 or more, and 13 games exceeding 40 points. This performance earned him 71 first-place MVP votes, surpassing Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo .
In the 2024 playoffs, Gilgeous-Alexander elevated his game, averaging 30.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists over 10 games, with shooting splits of 49.6% from the field and 43.2% from three-point range . His leadership was pivotal in the Thunder’s sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies and their seven-game victory over the Denver Nuggets, culminating in a 35-point, zero-turnover performance in Game 7—a rare feat in NBA playoff history .
Gilgeous-Alexander’s achievements place him in elite company. He joins Michael Jordan as one of the few players to average over 30 points on a team with at least 68 wins. His streak of 72 consecutive games scoring at least 20 points set a new NBA record, surpassing Jordan’s previous mark .
Originally drafted 11th overall in 2018, Gilgeous-Alexander was traded to the Thunder in 2019 as part of the deal for Paul George. This trade is now considered one of the most lopsided in NBA history, as Gilgeous-Alexander has become an MVP and franchise cornerstone, while the Clippers’ championship aspirations with George and Kawhi Leonard have fallen short .
With his MVP season, Gilgeous-Alexander is now eligible for a supermax extension projected at $294 million, potentially making him the highest-paid player in NBA history . As the Thunder continue their playoff run, his leadership and performance will be crucial in their quest for a championship.
