If you’ve watched even ten minutes of NBA basketball lately, you know the vibe in Oklahoma City has shifted. It’s not just "spooky potential" anymore. It’s a full-blown dynasty in the making. At the center of that hurricane is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard who basically spent the last year collecting every trophy not bolted to the floor.
He’s different. Honestly, he plays basketball like he’s moving in slow motion while everyone else is sprinting, yet nobody can actually touch him.
The Most Valuable Resume in Basketball
Last season was essentially a Shai-themed fever dream. We’re talking about a guy who led the league in scoring at 32.7 points per game, took home the regular season MVP, and then decided to cap it off with a Finals MVP and a ring.
He’s the fourth player in history to do the MVP/Scoring Title/Finals MVP triple crown in one year. That's Jordan, Shaq, and Kareem territory.
Currently, in this 2025-26 season, he’s somehow gotten better. He’s averaging around 31.9 points while shooting an absurd 54.7% from the floor. For a guard? That’s illegal. Most guys his size are happy to hit 47%. Shai is out here treating the mid-range like a layup line.
Why he's basically a 6'6" Tim Duncan
One rival coach recently called him a "6'6" Tim Duncan," and it’s the most accurate thing I’ve ever heard. There’s no flash for the sake of flash. No wasted movements. He doesn’t need to do four crossovers to get to his spot; he just... walks there? It’s weird to watch. He uses these bizarre snake-like drives to get into the paint, and once he’s there, you’re dead.
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He’s currently leading the league in "stocks"—steals plus blocks—for guards. On January 13, 2026, he hung 34 points on the Spurs and added a career-high four blocks.
Four blocks. From a point guard.
The Streak That Won’t Quit
People keep waiting for the regression. It isn't happening. As of mid-January 2026, SGA has scored at least 20 points in 111 consecutive games. That is the second-longest streak in the history of the NBA.
Only Wilt Chamberlain has a longer one.
Think about the consistency required for that. You have to be "on" every single night for over a year. No "off" nights, no flu games where you go 2-for-12, no early exits. Just pure, relentless production.
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The Thunder are currently sitting at 34-7. They are on pace to match or beat last year's 68-14 record. And they're doing this with a target on their backs every single night.
What most people get wrong about the OKC rebuild
The narrative used to be that Sam Presti was just hoarding draft picks like a dragon with gold. But the real magic wasn't the picks; it was the culture. Shai isn't just a floor general; he’s a culture setter.
He isn't loud. He doesn't go on podcasts to talk about his greatness. He just wears high-fashion outfits to the arena and then dismantles your favorite team's defense for 40 minutes.
The Supporting Cast is Terrifying
Shai is the head of the snake, but the rest of the body is lethal.
- Chet Holmgren is anchoring a defense that is currently ranked top-three in the league.
- Jalen Williams (J-Dub) has blossomed into an All-Star caliber wing who can secondary-playmake.
- Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort provide the grit that allows Shai to gamble a bit more on the perimeter.
When Shai was asked about beating the Spurs recently after a bit of a "slump" (if you can call going 6-6 a slump), he just said, "Tonight wasn't our Super Bowl."
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That’s the mindset. He’s looking at June, not January.
How to Watch the Thunder This Season
If you want to catch the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard in action, you need to pay attention to the Saturday night primetime slots. The NBA has finally realized that OKC is the biggest draw in the league.
Watch his feet. Seriously.
The way he changes pace—going from 0 to 60 back to 20 in the span of two steps—is why he draws so many fouls. He led the league in free throws made last year and is near the top again.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking his MVP case or just trying to understand the dominance, look at these three things:
- The Paint Touches: Shai leads the league in drives per game. If he’s getting into the teeth of the defense, OKC wins. Period.
- The Fourth Quarter Efficiency: Check his true shooting percentage in the final five minutes. It's usually north of 65%.
- The Defensive Versatility: Watch how often Mark Daigneault puts him on the opponent's best perimeter scorer. He isn't "hiding" on defense anymore.
Keep an eye on the upcoming road trip through the East. If Shai keeps this 20-point streak alive through the end of February, we are officially witnessing the greatest individual scoring run of the modern era.
To stay ahead of the curve, focus on his assist-to-turnover ratio during this stretch. He’s currently hovering at a career-best 3.2, proving he’s not just a scorer but a true offensive engine. Watch for how he manipulates double-teams to find open shooters like Isaiah Joe—that's the final evolution of his game.