2025-26 Season
SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER
2025-26 Season
SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER
PBP Credit: Every play is analyzed from play-by-play data. Scorers get difficulty-adjusted credit, assisters get creation value based on the shot opportunity they created, and turnovers are classified by type. Shot difficulty is derived from 1M+ shots across 4 seasons. Full methodology
TEAM COMPARISON
of 16 teammates (10+ games, 10+ min)
Similar Players
Same position, closest production profile this season.
SKILL DNA
Percentile rank vs 245 Guards with 10+ games
THE SEASON SO FAR
An unrelenting barrage of surgical rim pressure and elite isolation execution defined Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's opening stretch of the 2025-26 campaign. He absolutely broke the back of opposing defenses with his downhill attacks, culminating in a monstrous +24.5 impact score on 10/23 vs IND where astronomical offensive usage fueled a 55-point explosion. That momentum carried into an absolute masterclass on 11/26 vs MIN, where his uncanny ability to dissect the defense with mid-range jumpers generated a staggering +30.2 impact. His sky-high box metrics across these matchups stemmed directly from flawless foul-drawing mechanics and an innate talent for collapsing schemes into constant rotation. However, his aggressive approach occasionally carried hidden efficiency costs. During 11/05 vs POR, he poured in 35 points, but a brutal 10-for-26 shooting night dragged his overall impact down to a modest +5.7. Even when a heavy diet of contested pull-ups hampered his field goal percentages, his sheer volume of paint touches and defensive disruption kept his overall value firmly in the green.
This stretch was defined by surgical, hyper-efficient isolation mastery that occasionally collapsed into frustrating passivity and lazy defense. During the 11/23 vs POR matchup, Gilgeous-Alexander was an absolute two-way terror. He posted a monstrous +36.5 impact score in that contest, driven by flawless decision-making on offense and a suffocating +21.1 defensive metric. However, when his engagement waned, his overall value plummeted regardless of his raw scoring totals. On 01/02 vs GSW, he poured in 30 points but managed a pedestrian +6.3 impact score because a complete lack of defensive resistance erased his offensive creation. The regression hit rock bottom on 01/15 vs HOU. Despite scoring 20 points on highly efficient shooting, uncharacteristic passivity and a refusal to attack his matchups sank him to a -5.6 impact score. When he dictates the pace and plays both ends, he is unstoppable, but coasting quickly turns his minutes into empty calories.
This mid-season stretch was defined by absolute isolation dominance that occasionally bled into stubborn hero-ball. When dialed in, his offensive initiation was flawless. He carved up drop coverage on 01/21 vs MIL, posting a massive +23.7 impact score behind 40 points and 11 assists. Yet, raw point totals often masked underlying apathy. During a 40-point outburst on 03/21 vs WAS, his impact score was dragged down to +8.8 because hidden costs like live-ball turnovers and a dismal -5.2 defensive rating bled value. That hero-ball turned disastrous on 03/27 vs CHI, where he posted a -4.5 impact score despite dropping 25 points because his stubborn insistence on forcing heavily contested threes (0-for-10) completely derailed his efficiency. Conversely, he found ways to win on the margins when his scoring completely dried up. Despite shooting a miserable 7-for-22 for just 20 points on 03/15 vs MIN, he salvaged a +6.2 impact score by generating extra possessions with a +3.8 hustle rating and stout defensive effort.
IMPACT TIMELINE
Game-by-game performance vs average. Green = above average, red = below.
Very consistent. Gilgeous-Alexander posts positive impact in 100% of games — you almost always get a productive night. Scoring varies by ~7 points, but the overall contribution stays positive.
Reliable shooter — hits 45%+ from the field in 84% of games. You can count on efficient nights more often than not.
Defensive difference-maker. Gilgeous-Alexander consistently forces tough shots and protects the rim — opponents shoot worse when he's guarding them.
Performance has dropped off. First-half impact: +29.9, second-half: +25.9. Worth watching whether it's fatigue, injury, or opponents adjusting.
Hot right now — 68 straight games with positive impact. Longest positive run this season: 68 games.
MATCHUP HISTORY
Based on 64 games with tracking data. Shows who guarded this player on offense and who he guarded on defense, with their shooting stats in those matchups.
ON OFFENSE: WHO GUARDED HIM
His shooting stats against each primary defender this season
ON DEFENSE: WHO HE GUARDED
How opponents shot when he was the primary defender. Lower FG% = better defense.
SEASON STATS
GAME LOG
68 games played
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