What happened: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander goes into the Oct. 20 opener after averaging 30-plus points on better than 55% shooting across his MVP season. The NBA said that made him the only guard in league history to clear both marks over a full season.
Why it matters: That scoring-efficiency mix adds another benchmark to Gilgeous-Alexander's second straight MVP run. It also gives the 2026-27 opener extra weight as an early read on whether he can carry that level into another season.
By the numbers: He paired 30-plus points per game with at least 55% shooting, a threshold the NBA said no other guard has reached over a full season. The campaign also ended with his second straight Kia NBA MVP award.
What to watch: Oct. 20 is the next marker, with Gilgeous-Alexander set to open the 2026-27 season on NBC and Peacock. The first stretch of games will show whether last season's efficiency holds into the new year.