Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is putting together another MVP-caliber season-and the praise keeps rolling in. This time, it came from none other than Hall of Famer Steve Nash, who didn’t hold back when asked about the Oklahoma City Thunder star.
Steve Nash says SGA, not him is the best Canadian player of all time pic.twitter.com/HLWy40nsb0
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) January 31, 2026
Nash, a two-time MVP himself and one of the greatest point guards to ever play the game, called Gilgeous-Alexander the best Canadian NBA player ever. That’s a bold statement coming from a guy who’s widely considered the gold standard for Canadian hoops.
But here’s the thing-SGA is making it hard to argue.
Despite the Thunder dropping three of their last four, including a 123-111 loss to the Timberwolves, Gilgeous-Alexander has continued to be the engine that drives Oklahoma City. With key teammates sidelined by injury, he’s carried the offensive load night in and night out. And he’s not just putting up numbers-he’s doing it with control, poise, and a level of consistency that screams MVP.
Nash knows what elite looks like. An eight-time All-Star, five-time assist leader, and a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, Nash never captured a ring, but his impact on the game is undeniable.
For him to pass the torch to SGA as the best Canadian player ever? That’s not just flattery-it’s a recognition of the level Gilgeous-Alexander has reached.
And it’s not just about individual accolades. Gilgeous-Alexander is trying to guide the Thunder to something even more historic: a back-to-back championship run. That’s uncharted territory for this franchise, and it’s clear that if they’re going to pull it off, it’ll be with SGA leading the charge.
Here’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after OKC’s loss to Minnesota pic.twitter.com/CUXeJyIUy0
— Justin Martinez (@Justintohoops) January 30, 2026
But Thursday’s loss to Minnesota raised some questions. After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t mince words.
He wondered aloud whether the team had come into the matchup fully prepared. That kind of self-assessment is telling-it shows he’s not just focused on putting up stats, but on holding the entire team, himself included, accountable to a championship standard.
That mindset will be crucial with the Denver Nuggets up next. Sunday’s rematch of last year’s Western Conference semifinals promises to be a battle.
Denver’s physicality and playoff pedigree make them a tough out, especially at home. If the Thunder want to bounce back and stay on track, it’s going to take more than just SGA’s brilliance-it’s going to take a full-team response, starting with intensity and execution on both ends.
Still, with Gilgeous-Alexander playing at this level, anything feels possible. And when one of the greatest point guards of all time says you’ve surpassed him?
That’s not just a compliment. That’s a passing of the torch-and a reminder that we’re watching something special unfold in Oklahoma City.