Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins legends Michael Jordan, LeBron James in NBA Playoff history

Matthew Wadleigh

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins legends Michael Jordan, LeBron James in NBA Playoff history  image

The Oklahoma City Thunder have punched their ticket to the NBA Finals. NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again led the way and propelled the Thunder to a Game 5 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, 124-94.

It's been quite the run for SGA, who now has his first MVP trophy and is headed to his first NBA Finals with all sorts of momentum and home-court advantage regardless of who wins the Eastern Conference. 

On Wednesday night, Gilgeous-Alexander had 34 points with eight assists and seven rebounds, and in doing so, he joined an exclusive NBA postseason club that only has Michael Jordan and LeBron James on the list. 

Gilgeous-Alexander became just the third player to score 30 or more points and have five or more assists at least 10 times in a single playoff run. 

Jordan and James have done so three times in their respective careers, and now Gilgeous-Alexander does it as well in impressive fashion. 

In Game 4, he had 40 points with 10 assists, and he had 38 points with eight assists in Game 2 with 31 points and nine assists in Game 1, so it's been quite the series for SGA. 

Now, the Thunder are preparing for the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks or Indiana Pacers, although the Pacers are up 3-1 and right on the brink of an NBA Finals trip. 

MORE: Thunder/Pacers 2025 NBA Finals potential matchup: Fueled by two Paul George trades? 

Matthew Wadleigh

Matthew Wadleigh is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He was born and raised in Southern California and grew up a San Diego sports fan (yes, it’s tough, except for Aztecs hoops). Matthew went to Fresno State as a journalism major and got to see Davante Adams, Derek Carr, Paul George and Aaron Judge in person. Matthew has written for publications including ClutchPoints, Sportscasting, Fansided, Trojans Wire, UCLA Wire and Buffaloes Wire.