OKC Thunder: 3 takeaways as bench unit shines against Cavs

OKC Thunder No. 3) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shows why he is All-Star material

SGA seemed too aware with all the chatter amongst all-star voting as he put on a clinic Sunday night, scoring 31 points on 15 shots. The Thunder guard looked energized, and having such an efficient game coming off a knee injury should be a welcomed sign to the OKC Thunder fanbase.

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It is entirely criminal that SGA did not crack the top-five west guards as fans voted for guards earlier this month. Gilgeous-Alexander placed ninth in this category right in front of Klay Thompson. Thompson has yet to play a game this year due to injury.

The Thunder’s record and the fact that OKC is not receiving the same national media exposure then prior years is a primary reason Alexander will miss the upcoming all-star weekend.

Sunday night is a prime example of why Shai will be a bonafide star in this league. He has all the intangibles as he showcased every facet of his game against the Cavs.

Whether it be drawing a foul beyond the arc or shooting a perfect percentage from 3-point land, SGA has what it takes to lead a team. At just 22 years old, he is a poised leader for this Thunder franchise.

Here is a condensed video of SGA’s performance from Sunday night:

Whether it is the pick and pop game or driving to the basket, Shai has all the ability to take this Thunder team to the next level.

Although it looks as if he will miss out on this year’s All-Star game, Thunder fans should expect to see Shai make multiple appearances at All-Star weekend for years to come.

Ryan Lewis offers grades from the win in Cleveland which can be found by clicking this link.

The Thunder will look to win back-to-back games in as many nights as OKC returns to Chesapeake Energy Arena to play host to the Miami Heat on Monday night.