Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been one of the NBA’s most productive players in recent seasons. Continuing on his current trajectory would see him comfortably achieve a rare league record achieved by just nine others.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander On Course to Join Illustrious Company
The Thunder have stormed to the very summit of the Western Conference, stretching their season record to 16-5; the third best in the NBA.
It is largely a continuation of their historic year last season, where they became the youngest team in NBA history to clinch a number one seed and dispatch opponents in a playoff series.
In a landscape where the veterans are still running the rooster, it is refreshing to see Oklahoma place the lion’s share of responsibility in future prospects.
One man in particular has shouldered much of the points-scoring responsibility, and has quickly become an example to follow for the more youthful players in the roster.
Despite only being 26 – a full two years above the team’s average age of just 24 – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander commands the kind of respect that a veteran might on any other team.
Consecutive All-Star selections over the past two years are a direct result of posting consistent high numbers, averaging 31.4 points per-game two years ago before almost matching that with 2023/24’s haul of 30.1.
The Western Conference @Kia Player of the Month for October & November is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander! #KiaPOTM pic.twitter.com/xRyomBRFGn
— NBA (@NBA) December 3, 2024
His 26-point display against the Jazz last time out means his season record currently sits at 29.8. If Gilgeous-Alexander can maintain this consistency and bump his average up by 0.2 by the close of the season, he could join illustrious company.
Only nine players in NBA history have ever posted 30 points or above for three consecutive seasons – find the full list below.
- Michael Jordan
- Wilt Chamberlain
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Oscar Robertson
- Elgin Baylor
- Adrian Dantley
- Bob McAdoo
- James Harden
- Joel Embiid
Gilgeous-Alexander is ranking fourth in the NBA for points per game (29.8), but is also incorporating a new level of playmaking by averaging a career-high 6.5 assists.
He is also third for most 30-point performances with eight.
Such is the elite level of his performances that Gilgeous-Alexander is now the second-favorite to be named MVP behind Luka Jokic, according to NBA sportsbooks.
