A Season of Unprecedented Dominance

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) has redefined excellence in the NBA Playoffs, joining an exclusive trio of legends—Michael Jordan and LeBron James—with a historic performance in the 2025 postseason. SGA became the third player in NBA history to average 30+ points, 6+ rebounds, and 6+ assists while maintaining 50% field goal and 40% three-point shooting efficiency in a single playoff run. This milestone, first achieved by Jordan in 1991 and James in 2013, cements SGA’s place among basketball’s all-time greats.

Championship Campaign and MVP Legacy

SGA’s 2025 Season began with a historic campaign, earning his first MVP award by averaging a league-leading 32.7 points per game. Leading the Thunder-0.html target=_blank class=infotextkey>Oklahoma City Thunder to a franchise-best 68-14 record, he carried this momentum into the playoffs. In the Western Conference Finals against the Timberwolves-0.html target=_blank class=infotextkey>Minnesota Timberwolves, SGA averaged 31.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists, culminating in a 40-point Game 4 performance that secured the series and the Magic Johnson Trophy as Finals MVP. This marked only the second time since Stephen Curry in 2015 that an MVP led their team to the Finals in the same season.

Comparisons to Legends: Efficiency and Versatility

SGA’s blend of scoring prowess and playmaking mirrors the legacies of Jordan and James. Like Jordan, he dominated scoring while maintaining elite efficiency (51.9% FG, 43.2% 3PT in the playoffs). His ability to control the game’s tempo and lead in steals (1.72 per game) echoes James’ all-around dominance. Remarkably, SGA’s 59 career 30-point playoff games now surpass Jordan’s total during his MVP season, solidifying his status as a generational talent.

Thunder’s Resurgence Under SGA

Once a rebuilding franchise, the Thunder have risen to championship contention under SGA’s leadership. His 31.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in the 2025 playoffs guided the team through grueling series, including a seven-game thriller against the Dallas Mavericks. With a title win just two victories away—their first since 1979—the Thunder stand on the brink of basketball immortality.

The Final Chapter: Destiny Awaits

As the Thunder prepare for the NBA Finals against either the Pacers-0.html target=_blank class=infotextkey>Indiana Pacers or Knicks-0.html target=_blank class=infotextkey>New York Knicks, SGA’s journey remains unfinished. A championship would make him only the third player after Jordan and James to win both MVP and Finals MVP in the same season. Regardless of the outcome, his 2025 playoff run has already rewritten the narrative of greatness—a fusion of skill, resilience, and relentless ambition.

Key Terms

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• Oklahoma City Thunder
• NBA Playoffs
• Historic Performance
• Finals MVP