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The Days of Thunder: Week one OKC Thunder recap

By Rylan Stiles

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 10, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 10, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action during a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 20, 2021, in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

OKC Thunder have a star on their hands in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Oklahoma City Thunder signed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to a max contract extension the second the window opened to do so this offseason. A celebrated event in Bricktown, and even some national pundits praised Oklahoma City, which we know is a rare feat. The Thunder point guard, coming off a difficult foot injury, started slow this season in the preseason and the first two-and-a-half games.

This led to speculation, think pieces, and overreactions about if SGA still cares about the organization he linked himself to for the next five years with no opt-outs. Right on cue, the 23-year-old lit the world on fire during the second half on Sunday against the 76ers.

light. Related Story. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signs max contract extension with OKC Thunder

So far this season, SGA has been the best guard in the league at the rim, shooting 73-percent at the cup. In the short mid-range, he turns in a 48-percent rounding out his mid-range game at a 48-percent clip which is helped by 50-percent in the long mid-range area.

From three, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has attempted a ton of mobile, step-back side-step triples which drags his percentages down to 30-percent from deep, though still shooting 40-percent from the corner three.

The 6’6 guard’s defense has been a struggle this year, grading out the worst of his career in that area. Much of that can be chalked up to the first three games of the season as SGA tried to get his feet back under him at NBA speed.

Even with what was considered a slow start, SGA is still playing at an All-Star level. That is incredibly impressive for the face of the franchise and max contract leader.

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