Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did everything a player could dream of last season — he won the regular-season MVP, led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a championship, and secured the NBA Finals MVP trophy, cementing himself as the face of the league.
So, when the official NBA 2K26 player ratings were revealed with Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić at the top, fans were left asking one simple question: What more did Gilgeous-Alexander have to do?
Why Are Fans Calling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Number Two Ranking a ‘Criminal’ Mistake?
The reaction to the official NBA 2K post on X was intense, as fans minced no words calling out the decision.
The primary source of the frustration was that Gilgeous-Alexander, the game’s own cover athlete, was ranked second despite his historic season. “lol cover athlete being the 2nd highest rated is so lame,” one of the fans tweeted.
This sentiment was seconded by another fan who felt Gilgeous-Alexander earned the top spot. “Whatttttttt should be number 1,” the comment said.
Another user summed up the confusion, pointing directly at the game’s publisher. “I woulda put your cover athlete and MVP 1st but that’s 2K for ya😕😒” a fan opined.
One of the fans even called the decision criminal after the Nuggets center took first place. “Making him #2 after the year he just had is criminal,” he tweeted.
The comments continued to flow, with another saying, “Truly. What was the point of having SGA as the cover athlete if you guys disrespected his ball handling, mid-range, and isn’t the #1 overall? 2k is so ass😭”
The rating controversy comes just after Gilgeous-Alexander was named the cover athlete for NBA 2K26, an honor he called an apt reward for one of his greatest seasons.
“It means the world,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, per the OKC Thunder Wire. “A game I grew up playing since I was young and can remember. To know I’m on the cover of the game is a surreal feeling. A dream come true.”
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This summer, after becoming eligible for a supermax extension, he inked a massive four-year, $285 million deal with the Thunder that cements him as the franchise cornerstone through the 2030-31 season.
His dominance was clear in his stats from the championship run, where he averaged 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game, while shooting an efficient 51.9% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range.
Can the Thunder Repeat as Champions in 2025-26?
With their superstar locked in and a strong supporting cast, Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder enter the upcoming 2025-26 season as favorites to repeat as champions. In addition to the Canadian guard, the team also features key players like Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, and Isaiah Hartenstein in the top 100.
However, the path forward will not be easy. With their core roster intact, they will face a stern challenge in a loaded Western Conference that saw major moves during the offseason.
The competition includes the Houston Rockets, who now have Kevin Durant in their ranks, as well as the Nikola Jokić-led Nuggets and perennial threats posed by superstars like LeBron James and Luka Dončić. It remains to be seen if the Thunder can successfully defend their title.