Averaging 32.7 points per game during the regular season, the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar has set a new league record for the highest scoring average in a season that ended with a championship—a mark that surpasses none other than Michael Jordan’s 32.6 PPG from the 1992-93 Chicago Bulls’ title run.

Gilgeous-Alexander, often referred to as “SGA,” carried the Thunder to their first NBA title since the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City, and did so while producing offense at a clip never before seen from a champion. 

His 32.7 PPG edged out Jordan’s long-standing record, which had endured for more than three decades as the gold standard for scoring excellence in a championship season.

SGA’s achievement is particularly impressive given the context of today’s NBA: increased defensive versatility, advanced scouting, and a league-wide emphasis on team defense. Despite these challenges, Gilgeous-Alexander was relentless, scoring 30 or more points in 54 games and maintaining high efficiency from all areas of the court.

Leading by example

Beyond the numbers, Gilgeous-Alexander’s leadership and consistency were the backbone of Oklahoma City’s championship run. The Thunder, boasting one of the youngest cores in the league, relied on SGA’s steady hand and scoring bursts to navigate the ups and downs of a grueling season.

His performances in clutch moments, often against elite defenders and double teams, set the tone for a team that finished with 68 wins and the league’s best offensive rating.

In the playoffs, SGA continued his dominance, culminating in a Finals MVP performance as the Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in a dramatic seven-game series.

His regular season scoring record, combined with his postseason heroics, places Gilgeous-Alexander in rarefied air alongside legends like Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—players who have averaged over 30 PPG in a title-winning campaign.

Legacy and impact

Gilgeous-Alexander’s new record is a statistical footnote but also a statement about the evolution of the NBA and the emergence of a new superstar era. For Oklahoma City and its fans, SGA’s 32.7 PPG season is both a milestone and a symbol of the franchise’s arrival as a perennial contender.

As the Thunder celebrate their championship, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s name now stands atop the list of the league’s greatest scoring champions—a legacy to forever be etched in NBA history.