Gilgeous-Alexander excels at the two most crucial factors in scoring: space creation and shooting. One plus the other equals efficiency. Anyone can score 25 points on 27 shots. It’s the efficiency that places his season in historical context.

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also had eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Jalen Williams added 24 points on 10-of-11 attempts, six rebounds, five assists, and one steal, and Chet Holmgren (20 points, 11 rebounds) notched his second double-double of the series.

Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder are the finalists for this season’s Most Valuable Player award,