Oklahoma City Thunder point guard is a win away from his first NBA championship, but he’s already put himself in conversation with basketball legends following a historic Game 5 performance.
The 2024-25 league MVP scored 31 points in the 120-109 win over the Indiana Pacers, marking his 15th 30-point game this postseason. Per the NBA, Gilgeous-Alexander joined NBA Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant (2009), Michael Jordan (1992) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1995) as the only players in league history to score 30 points in at least 15 playoff games during a single postseason.
The previous three won an NBA championship and were named Finals MVP following their incredible runs.
Bryant ended the 2008-09 playoffs with 15 30-point games, while Jordan and Olajuwon are tied for the record (16 games).
Gilgeous-Alexander, like Jordan and Olajuwon, needed 21 playoff games to reach 15 30-point games. The Hall of Famers had 30-point efforts in their following games, closing out the two series.
With the Thunder leading the best-of-seven NBA Finals 3-2, Gilgeous-Alexander could join them on Thursday’s Game 6 with another monster performance. If so, he’ll also likely clinch Finals MVP.
Per ESPN Bet, Gilgeous-Alexander (-550) is a significant favorite to receive the award, with teammate Jalen Williams, who scored a game-high 40 points in Monday’s win, second (+700).
Through five 2025 Finals games, Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder in scoring (32.4 points per game) on 47.4/30/92 percent shooting splits. He’s also first on the team in assists (25) and blocks (nine) and second in steals (12).
Thanks to his latest masterpiece, Gilgeous-Alexander is in rarefied air. If people are the company they keep, then the Thunder star is already standing among the game’s giants.