ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst has declared that Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could earn a Basketball Hall of Fame nod at just 26 years old, provided he leads his team to an NBA Finals victory and secures the MVP award. Windhorst expressed this strong opinion ahead of Game 6 of the NBA Finals, highlighting SGA’s impressive career so far and the milestones he has already reached.
SGA’s Case for Hall of Fame Recognition
Windhorst praised Gilgeous-Alexander’s level of play, pointing out his scoring ability and efficiency.
“If you look at the fact he’s a 30 point scorer shooting over 50%, that they had the 68 wins as a team. And I know this is a new award but it should be counted on the resume,”
Windhorst said, referencing the MVP-level performance combined with the Thunder’s success throughout the season. Importantly, SGA also earned the Western Conference Finals MVP trophy—officially the Magic Johnson trophy—underscoring his impact in reaching the Finals.
During the series, Gilgeous-Alexander delivered clutch performances, including a 35-point fourth quarter in Game 4 that Windhorst described as
“one of the great fourth quarter runs of the last 20 years in the Finals.”
He followed that with a 30-point, 10-assist showing in Game 5 to push the Thunder into a favorable position to close out the series.
“If [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] wins tonight and gets the MVP, he will have a Hall of Fame resume.”
—@WindhorstESPN on SGA in Game 6 of the NBA Finals
Windhorst emphasized,
“It’s been a command performance… If he wins tonight and gets the MVP, he will have a Hall of Fame resume. End of story, at age 26.”
Championship Hopes Hinge on Competitive Series Against Pacers
Despite the high praise, the Thunder have not yet secured the title. The Indiana Pacers remain a formidable opponent and could extend the series to a decisive Game 7 by winning Game 6 on their home court. The Pacers have already proven capable by taking a road game in Oklahoma City, keeping their championship hopes alive.
Meanwhile, Jalen Williams, Gilgeous-Alexander’s teammate, is also making a strong Finals MVP case. Williams scored 42 points in the critical Game 5 and is averaging 25.6 points per game throughout the series. If Williams dominates in the remaining games, he could challenge Gilgeous-Alexander for MVP honors as well.
Outlook: Potential Beginning of a Thunder Dynasty
Considering the injury to Pacers’ star Tyrese Haliburton and the Thunder’s dominant regular season performance, the most probable scenario is an OKC championship and a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander MVP award. Such accomplishments, alongside his historic scoring season and Finals success, could already qualify him for early consideration in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Moreover, with a young and talented Thunder roster potentially building a dynasty, Gilgeous-Alexander’s career trajectory hints at even greater achievements ahead. For now, Windhorst’s comments serve as a fresh national acknowledgment of SGA’s elite status, contrasting previous descriptions that focused on less flattering aspects of his game.