The Oklahoma City Thunder are in this position not only because of their collective chemistry and strong team identity, but also due to the elite individual brilliance of their superstar and 2025 NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While their success has been a team effort, Gilgeous-Alexander’s unique skill set continues to separate him from the rest. That talent drew praise from none other than Orlando Magic legend Tracy McGrady, who compared Shai’s game to two of the greatest to ever play: Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
In a recent appearance on The Old Man and the Three podcast, McGrady didn’t hold back in his admiration. “I think he’s incredible,” McGrady said. “Because he’s the MVP of the league, I think he’s really put a spotlight on, ‘Yo, you ain’t got to shoot all those threes.’ We can get here in the in-between game and make something happen. When the game gets tough, I can play around the free-throw line and get to my spot.” McGrady emphasized how Gilgeous-Alexander’s shot selection reflects a more deliberate, efficient approach.
“He’s playing basketball the way Kobe [Bryant] played it, the way [Michael Jordan] played it,” McGrady added. “In-between game is what I see from Shai… He’s not settling for threes.” It’s a flattering comparison — and not an unfair one. Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to score efficiently from the midrange is increasingly rare in today’s three-point-heavy game. Still, he has more to prove before being placed in the same breath as Jordan or Bryant.
One thing is certain: Gilgeous-Alexander is making his mark on the 2025 NBA Finals. For much of Game 4, the Indiana Pacers had managed to contain him, and it appeared the Thunder were headed for a 3–1 deficit. But the MVP stepped up in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma City began targeting Aaron Nesmith in pick-and-roll actions, and the results were devastating. Shai scored 15 of the Thunder’s final 16 points in the fourth, powering OKC to a critical 111–104 win that evened the series at two games apiece.
It was a signature MVP moment. Gilgeous-Alexander once again showed why he’s the heartbeat of the Thunder. When the game slowed down and everything was on the line, he relied on the most old-school part of his game — his midrange jumper — to get the job done.
While the three-point shot remains a tool in his arsenal, Shai’s biggest shots in crunch time didn’t come from deep. In fact, his only made three in the final minutes simply trimmed the Pacers’ lead to one. The go-ahead bucket — a smooth midrange jumper from the left baseline — gave Oklahoma City a 104–103 lead they never relinquished.
As for the Pacers, they’ve put together a strong and disciplined campaign throughout the playoffs. But the lack of a consistent go-to scorer remains a concern. Indiana doesn’t have a player who can match Gilgeous-Alexander’s shot creation and scoring volume late in close games, which could prove costly as the series progresses.
Andrew Nembhard has earned praise for his defensive effort on Gilgeous-Alexander, but it’s clear the Thunder have found a weakness in the Pacers’ matchups. Aaron Nesmith has struggled to stay in front of the MVP, and Oklahoma City will likely continue to exploit that mismatch in the games ahead. If Indiana can’t find a way to slow him down, Gilgeous-Alexander could be the difference between a NBA title and a near-miss.