All eyes were on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as he was the ultimate thorn to the side of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Oklahoma City Thunder centerpiece was center stage in Staples Center as they took down the purple and gold for the second time in two meetings this season.
The Thunder guard made big play after big play for OKC, somehow finding a way to overcome every trap and double team. He even crushed the Lakers' spirit with a crunch time triple from the logo.
SHAIVONTE AICIAN GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER pic.twitter.com/TP8XN51fmI
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) November 5, 2021
Count Dwyane Wade as one of the spectators left impressed. The Miami Heat icon was convinced the Thunder star was part of the “different” breed of NBA stars emerging in recent seasons.




These Yng dudes are coming Different… https://t.co/IOET8YHGsi
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) November 5, 2021
Despite the Thunder's struggles to put wins on the board against non-Lakers opponents, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has looked every bit the star Dwyane Wade believes him to be. He's averaging 23.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per contest.
SGA's efficiency despite being on the cover of every opposing team's scouting report is what makes his performances that much more impressive. He's shooting 45.8% from the field and 38.9% from the three-point line which are both terrific numbers for a volume scoring guard.
The Thunder locked in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to a massive five-year, $170 million contract during the offseason. He's looking worth every penny thus far, and will probably pay even more dividends for OKC as they inevitably get more competitive in the coming years.