May 24, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) looks on in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during game four of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
May 24, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) looks on in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during game four of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Several OKC Thunder players were just praised for their elite efforts on the less glamorous side of the ball.
On the Game Theory Podcast's list of the top 25 defenders in the NBA today, five members of Oklahoma City's squad made the cut, with 2026 DPOY runner-up Chet Holmgren rightfully ringing in as high as second.
This enviable representation of Thunder players is without question warranted. After all, the ball club has placed first in the league in defensive rating in each of the last two seasons.
However, when looking at ranking lists like these, it's hard not to notice that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's name is frequently absent.
Perhaps his overwhelming offensive dominance is overshadowing his skills as a truly elite two-way player, because it seems that people are strangely unaware of just how lethal a defensive talent SGA has proven himself to be.
Thunder star doesn't get nearly enough credit for defensive excellence
To say Shai should have been a lock for a spot on this top-25 defenders list may be a bit far-fetched. Looking at the names who actually made the cut, it's clear that none stand out as being unworthy.
With that being said, it goes without question that, at the very least, SGA deserves to have his name strongly in consideration for this kind of recognition.
Unlike most top-tier bucket-getters, Gilgeous-Alexander more than holds his own on the defensive end.
This past campaign, in particular, while dropping a whopping 31.1 points per game on 55.3 percent shooting from the floor and 38.6 percent shooting from deep, the Thunder cornerstone also managed to register a tremendous defensive rating of 105.2, hold opponents to a middling 43.0 percent field goal percentage, rank second in defensive win shares (0.179), and total 199 deflections.
With him on the hardwood, the Thunder placed in the 96 percentile in opponent points per 100 possessions. When taken out, they would drop, though admittedly slightly, to the 94 percentile, which suggests that this top-defensive squad played most of their best brand of defensive ball when Shai was in the game.
It's not every day that a player can effortlessly pour in 30-plus points and, in the same game, also play a key role in holding an opposing team in check on the offensive end.
However, that's exactly what the Thunder get from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on a nightly basis.
It goes without saying that the two-time MVP is soundly in the conversation for being a top three offensive weapon in the association today. The only question is, when will he finally earn the respect he so clearly deserves for his defensive efforts?
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