Dec 29, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball up court in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
The milestones keep rolling for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In Game 2 of the NBA Finals, SGA — the reigning NBA MVP — hit a massive career landmark by scoring his 3,000th point of the season (including playoffs). The milestone basket was a smooth 10-footer with 8:24 left in the first quarter, and it wasn’t just any number — it put him among an elite club of NBA legends.
Only 25 players in NBA history have scored 3,000 points in a single season when combining regular season and playoffs. The big names? Michael Jordan (10 times), Wilt Chamberlain (5 times), and legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Luka Doncic have also reached this plateau. Now, Gilgeous-Alexander stands shoulder to shoulder with these icons.
Even more impressively, SGA is just the fourth player to hit 3,000 points while dishing out at least 600 assists in the same season. MJ did it three times, while Luka and James Harden have done it once. This blend of scoring and playmaking solidifies Gilgeous-Alexander’s status as a transcendent talent, not just a scorer.
If the NBA Finals weren’t already exciting enough, watching Shai’s historic journey adds another layer of greatness to this thrilling series. Keep your eyes on this MVP — the history books are just getting started.
