Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's developing three-point shot transforms him into an even more unstoppable force, terrifying perimeter defenders and fueling MVP aspirations.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may have finally collected the final infinity stone in his personal quest to become the greatest basketball player in the world.
Seemingly every offseason, Oklahoma City Thunder fans question whether it's possible that Gilgeous-Alexander could possibly come back even better than he was the previous year. And even following a season in which he won a scoring title, MVP and Finals MVP, the OKC superstar seems to have somehow leveled up once more. The often posed hypothetical "Imagine Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with a great 3 point shot" fantasy is materializing in real time.
After a sluggish first five games in which he shot 7-30 (23.3%) from deep, Gilgeous-Alexander has shot a blistering 27-58 (46.6%) from long range over the past 10 games. His season 3 point percentage is now a robust 38.6%, an uptick from last year's 37.5%. And the arrow is pointing up, as the player who has led the NBA in drives for six straight seasons has seen his 3 point percentage rise each of the past four years.
Gilgeous-Alexander developing his 3 point shot as a real weapon is bad news for perimeter defenders all over the league. As if he wasn't already nearly impossible to guard, the added threat of a serious long ball will cause opponents to tighten up ever so slightly at the 3 point line and to close out a little quicker. And the NBA's most dangerous driver will already be in the paint or halfway into his midrange jumper before you can say "ankle breaker."
If that 3 point percentage continues to climb, Gilgeous-Alexander may have unlocked a new 2026 MVP campaign code. He is currently shooting 53.1% from the field and 90.4% from the free throw line in addition to his 38.6% from deep. That's firmly flirting with 50/40/90 territory. If he can secure those those rare air shooting splits, score 32 points a night, lead the Thunder to the #1 seed and win in the range of 70 games, he'd incredulously top what was considered an all-time individual season last year. And if he is going to fend off three time MVP winner Nikola Jokic and his nightly triple doubles, Gilgeous-Alexander may just need that 50/40/90 bulletin point as a Most Valuable Player tiebreaker.
OKC has talked all season about needing to improve if they want to repeat as NBA champions. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander collecting the 3 Point Stone could go a long way towards that goal.