Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been one of the most consistent players in the NBA over the past few seasons. It has been more than 500 days since the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard scored fewer than 20 points in a regular-season game, a streak that has earned him plenty of praise.

During a pregame show on ESPN Sunday, analyst Kendrick Perkins compared the 27-year-old to the legendary Michael Jackson.

"He is the Michael Jackson of basketball. He's an artist and every album that he puts out every single year goes diamond", Kendrick Perkins stated.

The 41-year-old continued praising Shai Gilgeous-Alexander by pointing out the elite company he keeps.

He noted that last season, Gilgeous-Alexander joined Michael Jordan as the only players to average 30 points while shooting over 50% from the field for three straight seasons.

Perkins added, "He's about to join Michael Jordan again this year for his fourth season averaging over 30, shooting over 50% from the field. He's shooting 55% from the field."

He also highlighted how efficient the guard has been. According to Perkins, Gilgeous-Alexander is "a top leader for his tough, made tough, contested two-point shots."

Perkins even said he has never seen a guard this efficient in his life.

The numbers back that up during the 2025–26 season. The Oklahoma City Thunder star is averaging 31.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists while shooting 55.4% from the field, according to ESPN.

Thanks to the consistency of their No. 2, the Thunder had won 7 straight games before facing the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, hoping to extend the streak to eight.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Echoes Kendrick Perkins’ Take on Defense

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said defense played the biggest role in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 116–103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday at Paycom Center.

He explained, "Defense is the one thing you can control in a basketball game," which is why the Thunder focus heavily on it.

And truly, the Thunder’s defense made a major difference in the game. Oklahoma City forced 22 turnovers while committing only seven themselves, helping the team come back in the second half after trailing at halftime.

Gilgeous-Alexander also praised the depth of the roster. He said, "We have so many guys that just are really good basketball players and can go in and affect the game at a high level. Every game’s going to look different."

Moreover, confidence, according to Gilgeous-Alexander, has grown with experience. He explained that as he continues to play, train, and go through different situations, his confidence naturally increases each year.

In the game, he finished with 20 points and 10 assists. The performance extended his streak to 128 straight 20-point games, passing the previous mark of 126 held by Wilt Chamberlain.

So, do you agree with Kendrick Perkins comparing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Michael Jackson?

Written by

Sauramita Debbarma

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi