Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proves he belongs in the same class as Michael Jordan and LeBron James

The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a dominant 124–94 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, closing out the series 4–1 and earning their first trip to the NBA Finals in over a decade. At the heart of it all was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose sensational postseason run is drawing comparisons to some of the greatest names in NBA history, like Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

With another standout performance, Gilgeous-Alexander became just the third player in NBA history to record at least 10 games with 30+ points and 5+ assists in a single postseason. The only others on that list? Michael Jordan (1989, 1990, 1992) and LeBron James (2015, 2017, 2018). It’s a level of consistency and excellence that only a select few have ever reached.

Through 16 playoff games, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 29.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds. He’s tallied 30 or more points and at least 5 rebounds in all but six games this postseason—an elite statistical output that underscores his role as the engine behind Oklahoma City’s Finals push.

Gilgeous-Alexander clinches Western Conference Finals MVP

In Game 5, he left no doubt. The Thunder guard delivered 34 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals while shooting 14-of-25 from the field and 2-of-4 from three-point range. His all-around excellence earned him the NBA Western Conference Finals MVP award—a fitting milestone for a player in the midst of a career-defining run.

Rising into rarefied air

The accolades don’t stop there. Following his 40-point outburst in Game 4, Gilgeous-Alexander became the first MVP since Jordan to record 59 games with at least 30 points in a single season (regular season and playoffs combined). Only Jordan has done it more often, accomplishing the feat in 1988 (65), 1991 (59), 1992 (60), and 1996 (55).

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After his Game 5 performance, Gilgeous-Alexander now ranks tied for fifth all-time in most 30-point games in a single season. That puts him alongside NBA royalty such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (67), Michael Jordan (65), Bob McAdoo (65), and Wilt Chamberlain (64)—all names firmly entrenched in basketball history.

The comparisons may still be early, but Gilgeous-Alexander continues to build a résumé that puts him in rare air. He’s no stranger to being mentioned alongside greats—this postseason alone, he’s repeatedly found himself in statistical company with Jordan, LeBron, and Kareem. Now, he’s leading a young Thunder team into the NBA Finals.

Whether he can sustain this level remains to be seen, but if his current form is any indication, the NBA may be witnessing the rise of a generational superstar. With every game, Gilgeous-Alexander is proving that his name belongs in the conversation with the game’s all-time greats—and he’s only just getting started.