In a stunning display of pure scoring dominance, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted for 35 points with zero assists in Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals, carving out a rare and remarkable feat and proving he’s not alone in this exclusive club. While most elite scorers sprinkle in assists during big games, these performances shine a light on scorers who stuck to one mission: score.
Shai’s 35-point night is tied for the most by any player in Finals history with no assists since the NBA-ABA merger in 1949. This milestone adds another twist to the storied saga of Finals scoring. The Finals stage has long been a proving ground for scoring greatness, albeit usually paired with some playmaking.
But Shai’s zero‑assist masterpiece invites a fresh line of inquiry: Who are the other players who shouldered the scoring load alone in the Finals, going for 30-plus while never once dishing a dime? Let’s go through it.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
2025 NBA Finals Game 4: 35 Points, 3 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 3 Steals, 1 Block
In Game 4 of the 2025 Finals, Shai single-handedly reversed Oklahoma City’s fate with a 35-point, zero-assist masterpiece, grabbing three boards, swiping three steals, and even blocking once. Trailing by 10 in the fourth, he unleashed 15 points in the final 4-5 minutes, including a dramatic step‑back jumper, and sparked a 12‑1 closing run to seal a 111-104 comeback win.
Coach Daigneault’s strategy, managing Shai’s minutes early and shifting ball-handling, preserved his energy for the final stretch. Shai’s zero-assist stat reflects both his aggressive, catch-and-shoot/drive focus and Indiana’s deliberate trapping scheme that dialed down his playmaking while leaving him scoring in space. The result? A vintage MVP takeover and the series-tying win.
2. Klay Thompson
2019 NBA Finals Game 6: 30 Points, 5 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 2 Steals, 0 Blocks
Klay Thompson’s form in Game 6 of the 2019 Finals was textbook Klay: 30 points, five rebounds, no assists, with two steals and zero blocks. In a familiar “Klay takeover” scenario, he unleashed catch-and-shoot threes and mid-range pull-ups, particularly in momentum-shifting bursts.
The emphasis was simply on scoring, with the ball cycling directly to him rather than any playmaking. That game proved decisive, as he cooled off his usual defenders and paved the way for Golden State’s run under Steve Kerr’s spacing-first system.
Though specifics like the result or angle of the victory may require citation, the stat line grounds his performance in pure scoring mode. Unforunately for Klay and the Warriors, the Raptors would go on to defeat them in six games to win their first-ever championship.
3. Tim Duncan
2013 NBA Finals Game 6: 30 Points, 17 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 1 Steal, 0 Blocks
In Game 6 of the 2013 Finals, Tim Duncan manned the paint with a massive 30-point, 17-rebound, zero-assist effort, snatching a steal along the way. San Antonio leaned heavily on his pick-and-roll sets and low-post drops, particularly against Miami’s deeper frontcourt.
His zero assists speak to the Spurs’ concentrated offense: get Duncan the ball, let him score, and leave the rest for perimeter shooters. Despite his dominance, San Antonio lost by three (103-100), a narrow defeat that underscored how vital his inside presence was, yet insufficient for the title.
The Spurs would go on to lose the series in seven games, and Duncan held averages of 18.9 PPG, 12.1 RPG, and 1.4 APG. This wasn’t Duncan’s best series as a playmaker for obvious reasons, but he got a little help in that sense from Tony Parker (6.4 APG) and Manu Ginobili (4.3 APG).
4. Toni Kukoc
1998 NBA Finals Game 5: 30 Points, 6 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 1 Steal, 1 Block
Toni Kukoc’s most overshadowed Finals moment came in Game 5 of 1998, when he dropped 30 points and six rebounds, no assists, along with a steal and a block. Chicago employed Kukoc in staggered lineups, freeing him for isolation or mid-post scoring when Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were bench-bound.
His performance kept the Bulls close, but the zero assists reflect how Kukoc primarily attacked rather than facilitated. That game marked one of the few opportunities when the “third option” carried scoring load without playmaking, setting the tone for the final stretch of the dynasty season. The Bulls would go on to win the series in six games with Kukoc posting averages of 15.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 2.7 APG.
5. Phil Chenier
1975 NBA Finals Game 2: 30 Points, 9 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 2 Steals, 1 Block
In Game 2 of the 1975 Finals, Chenier punched in 30 points, nine rebounds, zero assists, two steals, and a block, reflecting a pure scoring and defensive night. Playing for Washington, Chenier was the team’s built-in second option, and with the ball moved away from him, he took on the mantle of isolation scorer.
His zero assists mirror the team’s heavier reliance on him for creation, rather than distribution. Though the Bullets lost the series, that performance highlighted Chenier’s two-way impact and toughness on the big stage. Perhaps had Chenier passed the ball a little more effectively (4.8 APG in the series), the Bullets would have had a shot against the Golden State Warriors.
6. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1971 NBA Finals Game 1: 31 Points, 17 Rebounds, 0 Assists
In Game 1 of the 1971 Finals, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) tallied 31 points and 17 rebounds, with zero assists. Milwaukee’s offense revolved around him inside; open opponents would collapse, giving him scoring chances but limiting assist opportunities.
His stat line demonstrates classic post-scoring dominance, not orchestration. Though his block count isn’t listed, one could assume defensive presence. That opening-game effort set the tone for a series sweep and reinforced Kareem’s established supremacy as a Finals-level beast down low.
No surprise, Kareem rode the series en route to the Finals MVP award with averages of 27.0 PPG, 18.5 RPG, and 2.8 APG. Obviously, the lack of assists in Game 1 did not make a difference to the Bucks in the series.
7. Jerry West
1962 NBA Finals Game 7: 35 Points, 6 Rebounds, 0 Assists
1965 NBA Finals Game 5: 33 Points, 4 Rebounds, 0 Assists
Coming off a narrow loss in Game 6, Jerry West exploded in a pivotal do-or-die showdown against Boston, scoring 35 points and grabbing six rebounds, all while paradoxically registering zero assists. With 53 minutes of tireless play, West had the ball surgically removed from Boston’s grip, slamming in clutch shots throughout regulation and OT.
Still, his lack of assists reflected Boston’s suffocating defense, forcing West into a pure isolation scoring role. Despite his heroics, the Lakers came up short, falling 110-107 in overtime.
Three years later, West struck again with 33 points, four rebounds, and no assists during Game 5. Though box scores for this contest aren’t as detailed, the context is clear: Los Angeles leaned entirely on West’s isolation scoring to counter Boston’s defensive schemes. The resulting offensive display overshadowed everything else, cementing his legacy as a scorer-first icon in Finals lore.
