Even with two straight NBA MVPs, four consecutive 30-plus-point scoring seasons and an NBA championship, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander still seems to be fighting for the kind of respect that matches his production.
A newly surfaced statistical nugget only adds to that argument. According to the X page Stat Defender, Gilgeous-Alexander has posted the second-most games with at least one steal and one block over the last five seasons, piling up 182. The only player ahead of him is 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr., who has 194.
That kind of company says plenty. It also stands out because Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the few players near the top of that list who has never even landed an All-Defensive nod, despite outpacing defensive specialists such as Scottie Barnes, Derrick White and even 2025 DPOY Evan Mobley in that category.
This isn’t the first time his work on the defensive end has flown under the radar. Earlier findings pointed to his 105.2 defensive rating and his second-best defensive win shares from last season, both of which only strengthened the case that the Thunder star’s two-way impact is still being undervalued.
None of this changes the bigger picture: Gilgeous-Alexander is already viewed as one of the game’s elite talents. He has four straight All-NBA First Team selections and a scoring touch that has become historic, including the highest field-goal percentage by a guard averaging more than 30 points per game.
And yet, he’s still working.
While playing for Team Canada in the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying rounds, Gilgeous-Alexander has been sharpening his off-ball game. Canada coach Gordie Herbert said that work could make him even "tougher to guard" going forward.
That part matters because he’s already been a dangerous off-ball scorer. Gilgeous-Alexander finished the 2025-26 season with a 60.8 catch-and-shoot effective field-goal percentage, an elite number by any measure.
For a player already sitting at the top of the sport, the idea that there’s still another level to unlock is a bad sign for everyone else.
In Other News...
Thunder Summer League Drought Grew After Another Brutal Late Twist
The Thunders Las Vegas Summer League trip took another frustrating turn in a 106-103 loss to the Nuggets, a game that followed a familiar script of Oklahoma City hanging around long enough to make the finish matter. Payton Sandfort gave the Thunder a lift with 19 points, and Aday Mara added a productive all-around night with 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Buddy Boeheim chipped in 10 as OKC kept finding ways to stay within reach.
Sandfort did much of his damage late, scoring nine in the fourth quarter as the Thunder pushed for one last swing at the outcome. Bennett Stirtz also helped fuel the late push with active play, but the comeback came down to the final possession and left Oklahoma City still searching for a clean finish in Las Vegas. [Read more 🡒]
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Came Up Short For Another Major Honor
Shai Gilgeous-Alexanders season was strong enough to keep him in the mix for another major piece of hardware, but the latest honor went elsewhere. The Thunder star was a nominee for the 2026 ESPY NBA Player of the Year award, a field that also included Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama, underscoring just how crowded the race was among the leagues elite.
Jalen Brunson ended up taking the award after steering the Knicks to the 2026 NBA championship and earning Finals MVP honors along the way. For Gilgeous-Alexander, it was another reminder that even a standout regular season can be overshadowed when the conversation shifts to the biggest stages and the biggest moments. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Core Hit With An Insulting Drop Fans Wont Ignore
Bleacher Reports latest look at the NBAs best star trios gave Oklahoma City a familiar compliment, but not the top spot it held a year ago. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren were slotted third behind the Spurs and Knicks, a notable drop for a group that just helped power the Thunder to a championship and has already built a reputation as one of the leagues most efficient cores when everyone is available.
The bigger point for Thunder fans is that the ranking still treats the trio like an elite standard-bearer, even after injuries complicated the follow-up to that title run. Oklahoma Citys recent deep playoff pushes have been shaped as much by health as by talent, and the numbers cited in the piece suggest the ceiling remains as high as ever once the group gets back to full strength. [Read more 🡒]