Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins exclusive 3,000-point club with Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant during NBA Finals showdown vs Indiana Pacers
Image via Getty Images
When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stepped onto the court Sunday night in Oklahoma City, he wasn't thinking about numbers. But just minutes into Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the reigning MVP made history—again.
With a smooth 10-foot jumper early in the first quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander crossed the 3,000-point mark for the season, combining his regular season and playoff totals. He became just the 12th player in NBA history to ever reach that milestone. For a guy who swears he's only focused on winning, the milestones just keep piling up.
MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reaches 3,000 points in historic NBA Finals moment
The moment came early, just under four minutes into the first quarter at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
, who entered the night needing only two points to hit the milestone after scoring 38 in Game 1, reached 3,000 with a smooth 10-foot jumper. The bucket wasn't just significant—it was historic.
This marks only the 25th instance in league history where a player has scored 3,000 points in a single season.
Michael Jordan
achieved it a record 10 times—no one else comes close.
Wilt Chamberlain
did it five times during his dominant run in the 1960s. The rest of the elite list features one-time entries: Bob McAdoo (1974–75),
Elgin Baylor
(1962–63),
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
(1971–72), Rick Barry (1966–67),
Shaquille O'Neal
(1993–94), James Harden (2018–19),
Kobe Bryant
(2005–06),
Kevin Durant
(2013–14), and
Luka Doncic
just last season in 2023–24.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Tired of High Power Bills? Plug in This Device
elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill
Learn More
Undo
Now, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins that storied group.
And he didn't just score—he orchestrated. With more than 600 assists to his name this season, Gilgeous-Alexander becomes just the fourth player ever to pair a 3,000-point season with at least 600 assists, joining Jordan, Harden, and Doncic.
Still, the 26-year-old guard made it clear what matters most. 'I said this so many times,' Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters before Game 2.
'I don't play for the individual stuff. I don't play for anything else besides winning. I never have in my whole life.'
Despite his 38-point performance in Game 1, the Thunder fell short as Tyrese Haliburton drained a buzzer-beater to steal the 111–110 win for Indiana. Gilgeous-Alexander's supporting cast struggled, with the rest of the starters combining to shoot just 16-of-47.
Through 17 playoff games, he's maintained a 30.2 scoring average on 47.1% shooting—even with tighter postseason defense.
His regular season numbers were just as lethal: a league-best 32.7 points per game, along with 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals, shooting 51.9% from the field and 37.5% from deep.
Also Read:
'Hopefully I'm somewhere close' — MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander channels Kobe Bryant's legacy in his defining 2025 NBA Finals moment
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may have made history on Sunday, but he's not one to pause and admire the view. For him, the job's not done—not until the Thunder win it all. Even as his name now sits beside icons like Jordan, Kobe, and Kareem, he remains grounded, focused, and hungry for more. That 3,000-point milestone? Just another stop on the road to a championship. And if his season so far is any indication, he's far from finished.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Brad Marchand's wholesome breakfast with NHL Draft prospects Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, and O'Brien steals spotlight before 2025 draft
Marchand serves up mentorship with NHL prospects (Image via: Getty Images) As the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers locked in for a high-stakes Stanley Cup clash, an unexpected moment off the ice quietly stole the spotlight. Brad Marchand—Boston's veteran firestarter—wasn't in the headlines for a goal, but for something far more surprising: breakfast. The 37-year-old shared a casual morning meal with four top NHL Draft prospects. A deeper look at Marchand's surprise sit-down with NHL draft hopefuls It began with a simple, unexpected call. Thirty-seven-year-old Brad Marchand, sporting a casual tee and ballcap, walked into the Florida Panthers' cutting-edge practice facility on a Monday morning. His eyes landed on four quiet NHL draft hopefuls in the dining area. "You guys look good!" he shouted, immediately melting the ice with 2025 NHL Draft top prospects Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, James Hagens, and Jake O'Brien. This wasn't some pre-planned media stunt; it was an impromptu breakfast bonding session that swiftly exploded across hockey social media. While the "feel-good" story dominated headlines, a sharper question quickly followed: Was this a truly genuine act of mentorship, or a clever PR play by the NHL? Brad Marchand Used To Be Hated By Some Of His New Panthers Teammates Marchand hasn't exactly been the league's go-to guy for warm fuzzies. For over ten years, the Bruins captain has been known as one of the NHL's most controversial and fiercely competitive figures. The NHL has brought top prospects to the Stanley Cup Final since 1993, and players like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Matthew Tkachuk also met the youngsters that day. But it was Marchand's spontaneous breakfast takeover that completely stole the show—leading some critics to wonder if it was too perfectly timed. For Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, and O'Brien, the experience was absolutely priceless. This wasn't just about meeting famous NHLers; it was an intense, real-world lesson in pro hockey culture, straight from one of its toughest veterans. Genuine or strategically planned, the moment offered a rare peek behind the curtain of life in the big leagues. And maybe that's exactly what the NHL desperately needs. Also Read: Sam Bennett makes it personal with childhood friend Connor McDavid as Stanley Cup turns fierce The league often gets flak for its somewhat rigid, formal image. Moments like this, whether carefully crafted or not, genuinely help to humanize its biggest stars and spark dreams in the next wave of talent. Marchand might be polishing his own legacy, but he definitely gets that today's young hopefuls are tomorrow's shining stars.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
"He's a terrific coach": NFL legend Tom Brady supports Mike Vrabel to lead New England Patriots resurgence with no-excuses mentality
Tom Brady and Mike Vrabel (via Getty Images) Former NFL quarterback and current sports broadcaster Tom Brady has shown his support behind Mike Vrabel as the new head coach of the franchise describing him as a "great coach" and a "great leader for that organization". They share a deep bond, forged during their years as teammates from 2001 to 2008. With Tom Brady now a co-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, his words still carry immense weight in New England—and his vote of confidence in Vrabel signals high expectations for a turnaround. Mike Vrabel brings experience and toughness that impresses Tom Brady Mike Vrabel's return to the New England Patriots marks a pivotal moment for the franchise. After the departure of longtime head coach Bill Belichick and a brief transitional season under Jerod Mayo, the Patriots have turned to Vrabel to restore discipline, focus, and identity. Unlike Mayo, who had no prior head coaching experience, Vrabel comes equipped with a robust NFL résumé. He led the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023, amassing a 56-48 regular season record and guiding the team to three straight playoff appearances—including an AFC Championship Game run in 2019. Mike Vrabel's NFL coaching profile showcases his no-nonsense approach, something Brady clearly admires. "I know he's going to do a great job. I know he's all about tough, disciplined, hard-nosed physical brand of football," he told DJ Siddiqi of SportsCasting. "He's a terrific coach and a great friend of mine still." The Biggest Misconception in Football (ft. Tom Brady) "He's got this no-[expletive] mentality about him and I love that," Brady added. "That's why I think he and I have always connected. It's this mentality that we're not making excuses, we're going to go out there and get the job done, and we're not going to complain. We're going to work hard and we're going to be resilient, and that's how you get things done." Mike Vrabel Talks Adding Stefon Diggs, Patriots Culture & Tom Brady Stories Patriots fans, eager for a reset after a turbulent few seasons, now look to Vrabel to steer the team in a new direction. And Tom Brady's endorsement only adds fuel to that hope. Nobody is more attuned to the Patriots' internal culture than the quarterback who assisted in its construction. Also read: 'Exhausting to spend time with': Tom Brady branded an man diva as insiders expose his troubled dating life The franchise, still getting used to life after Bill Belichick, might have discovered the ideal combination of continuity and new vision in Mike Vrabel. With training camp soon to arrive and a new year coming, the Patriots are once more a team to watch.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
WTC Final: When was the last time South Africa and Australia played a Test at Lord's? What happened then?
South Africa and Australia last met at Lord's in a Test match over a century ago in 1913 (Image via X/@cric_businessHQ) Australia and South Africa are set to face each other in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 final at Lord's Cricket Ground in London on Wednesday, marking their first Test encounter in two years. The match will also revive a historic rivalry that saw these teams play at the same venue 113 years ago in a unique triangular tournament. South Africa secured their place in the final with a superior record, winning 8 out of 12 Tests and achieving a points percentage of 69.44. Australia qualified with 67.54 points percentage across 19 matches. The two cricket powerhouses have played 101 Tests against each other, with their rivalry featuring significant moments including the controversial Sandpaper Gate incident in 2018. Remarkably, Australia and South Africa have previously met at Lord's, with this matchup coming in the Triangular Tournament of 1912, which involved England as the third team. The 1912 tournament was groundbreaking as the first Test competition featuring more than two teams. It remained unique until the Asian Test Championship in 1998. Poll Who do you think will win the ICC World Test Championship 2025 final? Australia South Africa During that historic Lord's match in 1912, South Africa batted first after winning the toss but were dismissed for 263. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Australia responded with 390 runs in their first innings. The South African team, led by Frank Mitchell, could only manage 173 in their second innings. Australia secured a comfortable 10-wicket victory. The teams played another match at Trent Bridge which ended in a draw. England ultimately won the tournament, which was never repeated. The 1912 tournament format featuring nine matches played between May and August, with each team facing the others three times. Bombay Sport Exchange Ep. 6: Harish Thawani on cricket's TV market and the watershed moments The upcoming final between Pat Cummins' Australian team and Temba Bavuma's South African side will write a new chapter in this historic rivalry, connecting the present with their past encounter at Lord's from the early 20th century.
