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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a key player who received the Oklahoma City Thunder when the organization changed Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers before the 2019-20 season.
The Thunder was not very good to start the new era with Gilgous-Alexander leading the way, but once the team saw Lu Dort, Jalen Williams and, finally, Chet Holmgren play together and stay healthy, turned out to be a complete change of game.
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Oklahoma City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots at the center of Indiana Pacers Myles Turner (33) during the first half of game 7 of the basketball series of the finals of the NBA on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
He culminated in the victory of play 7 of Thunder over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night. Gilgous-Alexander, and the MVP of the regular season and the MVP of the western conference finals, scored 29 points and distributed 12 assists in the 103-91 victory.
With his clutch performance, Gilgeous-Alexander received the MVP Bill Russell trophy that recognized him as the MVP of the NBA finals. He had 38 points in a defeat in game 1 and followed him in game 2 when Oklahoma City needed to tie the series. He scored 31 points in game 5 to push Indiana on the edge.
He raised the trophy in front of a crowd full of joy in the city of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, on the left, shoots against the Guard of Indiana Pacers Andrew Nembhard during the second half of the game 7 of the basketball series of the NBA finals on Sunday, June 22, 2025 in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Thunder Bumero Pacers in game 7 to win the NBA championship
“This is not just a victory for me. This is a victory for my family. This is a victory for my friends. This is a victory for all those who were in my corner growing. This is a victory for fans, the best fans in the world,” said Lisa Salters from ESPN after receiving the final MVP.
The MVP of the NBA finals sets a limit in a phenomenal season for Gilgeous-Alxander.
He led the NBA with 32.7 points per game on the way to win the first NBA MVP of his career. It was the third consecutive season that was an All-Star.
Oklahoma City Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), moves the ball against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of game 6 of the basketball series of the NBA finals, on Thursday, June 19, 2025 in Indianapolis. (Photo AP/ABBIE Parr)
Oklahoma City ended with a 68-14 record, the best in the NBA. It is the first title since the team moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City. The Supersonics won an NBA title in 1979.
