Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is carving out a postseason journey that's nothing short of legendary. Fresh off accepting the 2024 NBA MVP award, the Oklahoma City Thunder sensation dropped a staggering 38 points, dished out eight assists, and snagged three steals in Game 2 of their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This isn’t just about leading his team—it's about chasing history.
In the NBA's storied annals, only three players have ever achieved the trifecta of winning a scoring title, being named MVP, and clinching the Finals MVP in a single season. We're talking about legends: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971, Michael Jordan, who pulled it off six times in the '90s, and Shaquille O'Neal, the most recent in 2000. Now, Gilgeous-Alexander is on the brink of joining that exclusive club with an NBA Finals appearance in sight.
Leading the league with an impressive 32.7 points per game this season, Gilgeous-Alexander secured his maiden scoring title and demonstrated all-around brilliance that propelled the Thunder to the top seed in the West. His remarkable performances on both offense and defense not only earned him MVP honors over formidable competition but also placed him just one accolade away from completing this rare trifecta.
As the Oklahoma City Thunder takes command in their series against Minnesota, the stage is set for the 25-year-old to shine on the NBA’s biggest stage. Whoever the opponent might be—whether the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks—the Thunder are expected to enter as top contenders, largely thanks to Gilgeous-Alexander’s influence. His scoring prowess, coupled with his playmaking and defensive acumen, has established him as the cornerstone of one of the league’s most dynamic young squads.
Should he lead the Thunder to championship glory and secure the Finals MVP, Gilgeous-Alexander will indeed stand alongside Jordan and O’Neal as one of the few to reach such monumental heights in a single season. Already equipped with the scoring title and MVP award, he needs just one more accolade to complete this historic feat. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on the verge of etching his name among basketball’s all-time greats.
