Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was supposed to be the future of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Turns out, the future is now.
Gilgeous-Alexander made NBA history in Monday night’s 117-104 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves with his first career triple-double.
He scored 20 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists. The only other guard with a 20-point, 20-rebound triple-double in the last 30 years? According to Elias Sports Bureau, it’s none other than Russell Westbrook.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins Russell Westbrook as the only guards with a 20-point, 20-rebound triple-double over the last 30 seasons.
He is also the youngest player in NBA history with a 20-rebound triple-double, passing Shaquille O'Neal (via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/1koaz0Zweg
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 14, 2020
At 21 years and 185 days, Gilgeous-Alexander is also the youngest player to record a 20-point, 20-rebound, 10 assists game. Per ESPN Stats, the last time someone posted that kind of stat line was 64 years ago when Maurice Stokes did it back in 1956.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander becomes the youngest player in @NBAHistory to record at least 20 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game (previous youngest was Maurice Stokes in 1956). pic.twitter.com/sB7ASyy9mc
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) January 14, 2020
His triple-double on Monday showcased the variety of skills that Gilgeous-Alexander possesses, causing SBNation to call him “officially one of the NBA’s best young players”.
Gilgeous-Alexander first made a name for himself attacking the rim in off-beat rhythms with advanced footwork. His ability to hit wrong-footed layups and prepare counters on drives made him a unique problem for NBA veterans to deal with as a rookie. In his second pro season, he’s turned into something else: a smooth scorer who can flow in-and-out of dribble pull-ups while maintaining his incredible flexibility and dexterity around the basket.
Fans in Oklahoma City probably aren’t shocked by this assessment, they’ve been watching SGA develop and improve throughout the year.
It’s hard to believe that Gilgeous-Alexander is only in his second year in the league, but if Monday’s game is any indication, he’s got a long, successful career ahead of him.