Kentucky Wildcats alumni and 2024 NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has picked up right where he left off last season. The Oklahoma City Thunder have started their 2025-26 season 2-0, but it has not been
easy.
On Tuesday night, the Thunder knocked off Kevin Durant and the Rockets in double overtime. It was like déjà vu on Thursday night. The Thunder won the NBA Finals rematch against the Indiana Pacers in double OT. They are the first team in NBA history to start the season 2-0 with both wins coming in double OT.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, led the Thunder to victory on Thursday night. The former Wildcat dropped an insane 55 points in the Thunder win, marking a new career high for him. Thursday night marked SGA’s fifth career 50-ball, tying Russell Westbrook for the franchise record.
After scoring 35 points in Game 1, SGA has 90 points through the first two games of the season. Only Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, and Anthony Davis have scored more through two games in NBA history. Two all-time greats and another future Hall of Famer in AD is certainly the kind of company SGA belongs in.
Now averaging 45 points, 6.5 rebounds, and five assists per game, while shooting 47.4% from the field, the 27-year-old Canadian has quickly become one of the most entertaining players in any sport.
Shai will look to lead the Thunder, alongside fellow UK product Cason Wallace, back to the #1 seed this year in what is a stacked Western Conference. The former Cat who’s now in his eighth NBA season sure is making BBN proud.
