LeBron James and the Oklahoma City Thunder are about to write a new chapter in NBA history—over a dozen years after their first playoff meeting. Back in the 2012 NBA Finals, it was a different world. Now, as they clash in the 2026 second round, the only familiar face in the Thunder front office is Sam Presti. The rest? A completely fresh cast ready to make their own mark.
At 41 years old, James is still defying the odds. He may no longer be the league's undisputed face, but he's playing at an All-Star level—something no other 40-plus player in NBA history has managed with such consistency. While most veterans fade into bench roles, James just led the Los Angeles Lakers past the Houston Rockets in Round 1, proving he's still the man for the big moments.
The 2000s and 2010s belonged to LeBron. But the 2020s? They're increasingly owned by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. And he's looking to claim even more of this decade. Unlike James, SGA's rise to superstardom wasn't scripted. He wasn't a top draft pick. In his early seasons, most fans couldn't even spell his name right. He only became a household name four years into his career.
In fact, when the Thunder acquired Gilgeous-Alexander in the 2019 blockbuster trade, he wasn't even the headline. But he climbed the ladder, step by step. Now, with four ultra-efficient 30-point seasons, two likely MVP trophies, and an NBA championship ring, he's the face of this era.
Before Game 1 against the Lakers, the reigning MVP paid his respects to James. SGA may come from the lineage of all-time guards—Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry—but he knows what LeBron means to the game. "We can sit here all day and talk about things he's done for the game. He's one of the best players to ever pick up a basketball in the history of human beings. It speaks for itself," Gilgeous-Alexander said.
But here's the thing: beating LeBron James in a playoff series would do more than just add a win to SGA's resume. It would cement his legacy as the player who took the torch from a legend and carried it into a new era. For a guy who started with no hype, that's the ultimate statement.