Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to reach key milestones in breakout season
By Rylan Stiles
The Oklahoma City Thunder have watched Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have a breakout season. While everyone in and around Bricktown knew what SGA was capable of, the National landscape needed to catch up. Gilgeous-Alexander went from “Hey, he should make an All-Star team!” to an All-NBA talent this season. That is quite the leap, and he has piled on the accolades and milestones at every step.
As a 31-point-per-game scorer in his 68 games played this season, it was clear Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was one of the best players in the NBA. Along with his first All-Star nod and soon-to-be first All-NBA honor, the OKC Thunder superstar is now in an even more prestigious group.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earned MVP votes following milestone riddled 2022-23 NBA Season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder enjoyed a massive leap in wins, up to a 40-42 record. Their max contract point guard carried the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
In his age 24 season, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31 points, five assists, four rebounds, a steal, and a block per game while shooting 51 percent from the floor and 34 percent from beyond the arc. Beyond just the high-level defensive stats (2.6 STOCKS per game), even the advanced scope from Synergy labels SGA as an “excellent” defender.
The Media gathered to vote on their yearly awards, where they tossed votes to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the clutch player award, the most improved player award, and….the Most Valuable Player award.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did not receive a single first, second, or third-place vote in the MVP race. However, he received six fourth-place votes and 28 fifth-place votes. With 46 total points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came in fifth place for the MVP award, the highest finish for the guard position.
MVP award voting, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who finished 5th. pic.twitter.com/B7ZgVdEVB6
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 2, 2023
This is a tremendous honor for the Oklahoma City Thunder guard and an honor the franchise has seen 16 times. SGA is the highest finish since Paul George ended the 2019 MVP race in third place. Only 12 of those 16 finishes have been in the top five.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had an undeniably great season, and there are many more of these MVP finishes to come in his future in Bricktown.
Next. 3 OKC Thunder players who might not return. dark