Shai joined Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant as the only Thunder players to score at least 50 points in a single game.

The fifth spot was another tough choice. Jalen Brunson is the beating heart of a Knicks offense that has been a force this season and he could well be No. 5 on my board, but the defensive concerns and credit for that offense also going to Karl-Anthony Towns bumped Brunson down one spot in my book to sixth. By the end of the season, this may flip.

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander talks about his first NBA bucket after scoring his 10,000 career point

This season included a few obvious choices, but several difficult calls for the Feb. 16 game in San Francisco.

Paolo Banchero, Antetokounmpo, Zion Williamson, Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis all attempt more free throws per game. All are listed as forwards or centers, among the most difficult physical specimens in the league.

Nikola Jokić, averaging 31.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and shooting 55.4%, delivered back-to-back 40-point games against Victor Wembanyama, who is an MVP contender and Defensive Player of the Year favorite.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returned from a sprained wrist to lead the OKC Thunder to a rout of Brooklyn on Sunday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has sat at the very top of the NBA MVP rankings over the last several weeks. This battle between him, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo has been close, but now there is a wide gap between Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the field.