Coming into this recent home-stand. Not only was this a pivotal week for the Oklahoma City Thunder in maintaining the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, but it was also an opportunity for their Superstar to make a signature statement. And the reigning MVP did just that as Shai Gilgeous-Alexanderdominated in multiple ways against Denver, Boston, and Minnesota on a historic week. The case can be made that he stamped his second NBA MVP case in the process.
Thunder Histoy
Let’s rewind the clock for a moment and talk about how accomplished the Thunder is in its short tenure. Since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008, this organization has been on an unprecedented run of future Hall of Famers and NBA MVPs coming through this city. From legends in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden to future Hall of Famers such as Paul George, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Paul. Last year, the current Thunder’s superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became the third NBA MVP in the franchise’s eighteenth season in Oklahoma City.
This marks only the fifth time in NBA history that an organization has produced three different NBA MVP winners. Oklahoma City becomes the first team to have three different MVP winners in 12 years in league history.
Recognizing and appreciating good leadership and ownership shouldn’t be taken for granted, as eight NBA organizations are still trying to produce an MVP on the caliber of KD, Westbrook, and SGA. Ten franchises are still in pursuit of their first NBA Championship, and five of these teams have never appeared in the NBA Finals despite all of these organizations being in the league before Oklahoma City.
Signature Performances Against NBA Elites
Now back to the present, as the reigning MVP has only elevated his game this season, SGA has continued his historic pace. Recently breaking a 63-year-old streak, breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s 126-game streak of scoring 20-plus points.
In 56 games played, SGA is averaging 31.6 points, 6.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 stocks per game while shooting 55% from the floor, 38.5% from beyond the arc, and 89.4% from the free throw line. Despite being second in games missed due to injuries, he has once again been the head of the snake, leading to another 50-win season, sitting at a league-best 53-15 on the year, the Thunder’s eighth time since relocating in 2008. Only San Antonio and Boston have more 50-win seasons than Oklahoma City.
SGA has already made his fourth consecutive NBA All-Star team and is also in line to make his fourth consecutive All-NBA First-Team, as long as he reaches the 65 games played threshold. On Monday night, in the battle of the last two MVPs, he stamped his NBA MVP case with his most dominant performance of the season against Denver.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander against the Nuggets:35 POINTS (INCLUDING 10 POINTS IN THE CLUTCH)CAREER-HIGH 15 ASSISTS (0 TURNOVERS)9 REBOUNDS14-of-21 FROM THE FLOOR3-of-7 FROM 3 (INCLUDING TWO CLUTCH TIME THREES)4-of-4 FTMVP SEALING PERFORMANCE
He put in 35 points, a career-high 15 assists, 9 rebounds, a steal, and a block, while shooting 14-for-21 from the floor, 3-for-7 from deep, and 4-for-4 from the free throw line, with zero turnovers in 39 minutes, becoming the only one besides LeBron James with that stat line.
Add in two clutch-time threes, including the game-winning step-back three against Denver.
Fast forward to Thursday night against Boston, and SGA continued his dominance. Out-dueling another fellow MVP candidate, putting up 35 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals, while shooting 13-for-18 from the floor, 2-for-5 from deep, and 7-for-8 from the free throw line.
SGA once again came through, scoring 14 points on 7-for-8 shooting in the fourth quarter, including back-to-back clutch baskets in the closing moments in their win against Boston.
And finally, to close out the homestretch on Sunday afternoon against Minnesota. Where SGA struggled with his shot, through the first three quarters, he shot 3-for-16. The shot process was there, playing within the flow, as he dominated with his playmaking and arguably had his best defensive game.
SGA would again deliver in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting, to finish the game with 20 points, 10 assists to one turnover, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block, putting a bow on what would be an undefeated signature home-stand for Oklahoma City.
Not entertaining the current discourse. Instead, appreciating the level Shai is performing atSGA is playing historically in the clutch this season:6.4 points per clutch game152 total clutch points (most in NBA)Near 4:1 AST/TO Ratio (19 AST to 5 TOs)+83 (best in NBA)64.8 TS%17-7 record
This should tell you how SGA solidified his MVP case: he has earned the right to be the frontrunner. Making him on pace to not only win his second straight NBA MVP but also put himself in elite all-time company.
Main Image: © NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
