
In a league bursting with rising stars and high-octane scorers, few have made the leap into superstardom as convincingly as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Known simply as âSGAâ to fans and peers alike, the Oklahoma City Thunder guard has elevated his game this season to heights that place him in rarefied airâamong the elite of the elite.
On a brisk spring evening, the NBA world watched as SGA stamped his name beside three of the most dominant playoff performers of the modern era. With his ninth consecutive 30-point playoff game, SGA now shares company with none other than Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant. Let that sink in.
This isnât just about scoring. This is about doing it on the biggest stage, under the brightest lights, and against the best defenses. It’s the kind of consistency that doesnât happen by accident. For SGA, itâs the culmination of years of quiet growth, relentless work ethic, and unshakable confidence.
A Playoff Scorer Reborn
Shaiâs playoff emergence has been nothing short of electric. Coming off a season in which he finished as a top-5 MVP candidate, the Canadian guard has continued his dominance into the postseason with an arsenal of mid-range craftiness, deceptive strength, and silky-smooth finishes. At 6â6â with a 7-foot wingspan, SGA controls the tempo with a blend of poise and explosiveness that defies easy comparison.
In this yearâs playoffs, heâs averaging over 31 points per game, with shooting splits that reflect elite efficiency: hovering around 50% from the field, 38% from three, and 90% from the free-throw line. Itâs the kind of production that mirrors what weâve seen from all-time greats in their primeâexcept SGA is only 25.
Against formidable Western Conference opponents, SGA has carried the Thunder with a maturity that belies his age. Whether itâs slicing through a double-team or calmly knocking down clutch free throws, his game is rooted in control and confidence. He doesnât just scoreâhe dictates.
Elite Company

To understand the weight of SGAâs achievement, consider the names alongside his. Michael Jordan, perhaps the greatest player to ever touch a basketball, strung together 11 straight 30-point games in the 1990 playoffs. LeBron James, the embodiment of longevity and playoff greatness, had his own stretch of 30-point dominance during the 2018 postseason. Kobe Bryant, whose killer instinct defined a generation, reached this level of consistent playoff firepower during the Lakersâ title runs.
Now, itâs SGAâs turn.
This is not a fluke, not a hot streak. Itâs a statement. And it speaks volumes that Gilgeous-Alexanderâs run comes during his teamâs first deep playoff push since the departure of Russell Westbrook and Paul George. With OKCâs young coreâfeaturing the likes of Chet Holmgren and Jalen WilliamsâSGA has shouldered the load while elevating those around him. The Thunder are no longer a rebuilding project; they are contenders. And SGA is their engine.
Jalen Brunson: Next in Line?
As the Eastern Conference semifinals heat up, Jalen Brunson has quietly been putting together a legendary postseason of his own. With nine straight 30-point games heading into tonightâs matchup against the Indiana Pacers, Brunson has a chance to join SGA, Jordan, LeBron, and Kobe in that vaunted group.
What Brunson has done for the New York Knicks cannot be overstated. After years of turmoil, missed draft picks, and front-office shakeups, the Knicks finally have a cornerstoneâa player with the toughness, leadership, and clutch scoring that defines playoff success. Brunson isnât the flashiest player, but his footwork, shot-making, and competitive fire have ignited a dormant franchise.
His path has been different from SGAâs. Brunson wasnât handed the keys right away. He worked his way up in Dallas behind Luka DonÄiÄ, bet on himself in free agency, and is now showing the world why the Knicks invested in him as their lead guard. His current playoff run has featured 40-point outbursts, impossible floaters, and a willingness to take (and make) every big shot.
If he joins the 10-game club tonight, it wonât just be a personal milestoneâit will be a testament to how far heâs come.
A New Era

The NBA is in the midst of a generational shift. As LeBron and Steph age, and KD battles through injuries, a new crop of stars is rising. And in SGA and Brunson, we see two distinctly different stories converging on the same plane of excellence.
SGA, with his smooth game and quiet charisma, is leading a young Thunder team back to national relevance. Brunson, the gritty floor general, is giving Knicks fans a reason to believe again. Their journeys are unique, but their impact is undeniable.
In a league that celebrates individual brilliance and team success in equal measure, entering the â10-game, 30+ pointsâ club is more than a footnoteâitâs a mark of greatness. And whether it’s tonight or in the games to come, Jalen Brunson is knocking on the door.
But tonight? Tonight belongs to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Welcome to the club, SGA. đŠď¸