Why OKC Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is No. 1 in 2026-27 NBA PG rankings
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The point guard position in the NBA is as stacked as it has ever been.
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There's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning two-time MVP. There's Jalen Brunson, the reigning NBA Finals MVP. And there are other future Hall of Famers such as Stephen Curry, James Harden and Kyrie Irving still in the mix.
In this article, I'll be ranking the top 10 point guards entering the 2026-27 season. The order was determined by multiple factors such as individual success last season, injury concerns, player trajectory and contributions to winning.
Let's get into it:
Honorable mentions
Kyrie Irving, Trae Young and Ja Morant narrowly missed the cut due to injury concerns. Irving missed all of last season (torn left ACL), Young played in 15 games (right knee sprain) and Morant played in 20 games (left elbow sprain).
De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper also landed just outside of the top 10. Both players showcased their skills by helping San Antonio reach the NBA Finals, but it'll be difficult for either one to fully shine this season while splitting usage.
Top 10 NBA point guards for 2026-27 season
Points; Assists; Rebounds; Steals; Turnovers; Field Goal Percentage; 3-Point Percentage; Games Played
No. 10: Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
2025-26 stats: None
Haliburton also has injury concerns after missing all of last season due to a torn right Achilles. But he was playing at an All-NBA level before he went down, unlike the previously-mentioned players, which is enough to make him sneak into the top 10.
Haliburton is an elite shot creator, both for himself and others, and his Pacers should immediately return to being competitive now that he's healthy and Ivica Zubac is in the mix. I expect him to finish the upcoming season even higher on this list.
No. 9: LaMelo Ball, Minnesota Timberwolves
2025-26 stats: 20.1 PTS; 7.1 AST; 4.8 REB; 1.2 STL; 2.8 TO; 40.7 FG%; 36.8 3P%; 72 GP
Ball hadn't played in more than 65 games in a season since 2021-22, but he suited up for 72 last season. And he was the driving force for a Charlotte team that had the second-best net rating in the NBA after the All-Star break.
We'll see if Ball can stay on the floor again this upcoming season. But if he can, he should look even better next to Anthony Edwards, a lethal scorer who can take pressure off of him.
No. 8: James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers
2025-26 stats: 23.6 PTS; 8 AST; 4.8 REB; 1.1 STL; 3.5 TO; 43.4 FG%; 37.5 3P%; 70 GP
After being traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to Cleveland, Harden helped his new team reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2017-18. And he did so with great efficiency, shooting 46.6% from the field and 43.5% from deep.
Harden will turn 37 this month, and his days of being the engine to an offense are over now that he's playing alongside Donovan Mitchell. But he's still a dangerous shot creator and playmaker, and he's consistent enough to be No. 8 on the list.
No. 7: Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
2025-26 stats: 25.4 PTS; 7.1 AST; 4.4 REB; 0.9 STL; 2.3 TO; 48.3 FG%; 43.5 3P%; 75 GP
Murray received his first All-Star selection last season in Year 9, and he undoubtedly deserved it. He averaged career highs in points, assists and rebounds while shooting a blistering 43.5% from deep on 7.5 attempts per game.
Murray will likely take a step backwards in numbers and efficiency this season, but that's to be expected. It won't take away from just how good of a player the one-time NBA champion is.
No. 6: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
2025-26 stats: 28.3 PTS; 6.6 AST; 4.1 REB; 1.9 STL; 2.4 TO; 46.2 FG%; 36.7 3P%; 70 GP
Maxey averaged a league-leading 38 minutes per game last season, and every second was must-watch TV. He's that electric of a player, with blazing speed and ability to score from inside and outside the arc.
There'll be less pressure for Maxey to log heavy minutes now that Philadelphia has added Jaylen Brown and LeBron James. But when he's on the floor, the offense will still run through him.
No. 5: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
2025-26 stats: 26.6 PTS; 4.7 AST; 3.6 REB; 1.1 STL; 2.8 TO; 46.8 FG%; 39.3 3P%; 43 GP
Curry is entering Year 18 at 38 years old, and he's still a top five point guard in the NBA. His longevity defies logic, as he continues to be the stuff of nightmares for opposing defenses and the ultimate floor spacer.
A lack of team success has weighed Curry down in recent years, and that'll likely be the case once again this season. It's unfortunate for someone who deserves to be playing on the biggest of stages.
No. 4: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
2025-26 stats: 23.9 PTS; 9.9 AST; 5.5 REB; 1.4 STL; 3.7 TO; 46.1 FG%; 34.2 3P%; 64 GP
Cunningham has had the combination of size, scoring and passing that you'd want in a point guard since he entered the NBA in 2021. Now, he can add team success to his résumé.
Detroit finished with the best record in the East last season thanks in large part to Cunningham, who made the All-NBA first team. And if he can lead the Pistons even deeper into the playoffs after getting bounced in the second round, he'll have an even stronger case to move up this list.
No. 3: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
2025-26 stats: 26 PTS; 6.8 AST; 3.3 REB; 0.8 STL; 2.4 TO; 46.7 FG%; 36.9 3P%; 74 GP
Brunson led New York to its first NBA championship since 1973 last season, and he earned Finals MVP honors in the process. He once again showed an ability to play at his best when it mattered most and was virtually unguardable.
There's an argument for Brunson to be in the top two of this list, but I have him at the No. 3 spot. It's still a great accomplishment for the former second-round selection, who continues to surpass expectations.
No. 2: Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
2025-26 stats: 33.5 PTS; 8.3 AST; 7.7 REB; 1.6 STL; 4 TO; 47.6 FG%; 36.6 3P%; 64 GP
Dončić led the NBA in points per game last season and was in the MVP conversation before he sustained a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Despite that, he still earned an All-NBA first team selection.
I'm giving Dončić the slight edge over Brunson because he checks off more boxes as a player. He's a better scorer, playmaker and rebounder, and he's at least more capable on the defense thanks to his elite positional size. But if the Lakers don't make any noise in the playoffs this season, he could certainly move down one spot.
No. 1: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder
2025-26 stats: 31.1 PTS; 6.6 AST; 4.3 REB; 1.4 STL; 2.2 TO; 55.3 FG%; 38.6 3P%; 68 GP
Speaking of checking off the boxes, nobody on this list does that more than Gilgeous-Alexander.
He's an unguardable scorer who has only gotten more efficient, particularly from deep. He's a skilled playmaker who knows how to leverage his gravity. He's a willing rebounder and defender despite having such a high usage rate. And he's a proven winner, having led OKC to three straight No. 1 seeds and a 2025 championship.
Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning two-time MVP for a reason. He continues to find ways to improve, and his team should continue to be in the title conversation for the foreseeable future. He's the best point guard, and likely the best overall player, in the entire NBA.
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Why OKC Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is No. 1 in 2026-27 NBA PG rankings