A strong and crafty six-foot-six guard, SGA has no doubt become a nightmare for opposing defenses with his ability to shoot, get to the rim and get to the line. Last season, the former 11th-overall pick won MVP and led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the franchise's first championship, scoring a league-high 32.7 points per game.

Gilbert Arenas proclaims the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar, Shai, as the clear frontrunner for the 2026 MVP honors.

SportsLine's proven computer model locked in its top NBA props for Tuesday, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over 32.5 points

Getting past Andrew Nembhard with ease, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went with the up-and-under move to finish through traffic for the driving layup in the final seconds. The bucket was the last of a monstrous outing that should've resulted in a win. And a game where OKC should've lived or died with the ball in his hands.

However, the numbers say otherwise. This season, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 23.8 points per game without free throws, shattering the mainstream narrative. And that puts him top five in the entire league in points per game minus free throws, right alongside players who rarely face the same criticism.

Injuries are certain in a long season, but Gilgeous-Alexander softens the blow.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander adds to MVP case with 40-11 double-double in win over Milwaukee Bucks.

Video highlights, recaps and play breakdowns of the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans NBA game from January 27, 2026 on ESPN.