Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Caps Historic Season with NBA Finals MVP and Thunder’s First Title
After a gritty Game 7 win over Indiana, the league MVP adds another jewel to his crown in a season for the ages
The Crown Jewel of an Unforgettable Year
OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t need a perfect shooting night to deliver a perfect ending. On Sunday, in the most important game of his career, the Oklahoma City Thunder star capped a legendary season by leading his team to its first NBA championship — and earning 2025 NBA Finals MVP honors in the process.
Though his shot wasn’t falling — just 8-of-27 from the field and 2-of-12 from deep — Gilgeous-Alexander orchestrated the Thunder’s 103-91 Game 7 win over the Indiana Pacers with surgical control, notching 29 points, 12 assists, five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. More than stats, it was his command of tempo, his court vision, and his unwavering presence that ensured OKC never relinquished their second-half lead.
“So many hours, so many moments, so many emotions,” he said, reflecting amid a wave of hugs and celebration. “So many nights of disbelief, so many nights of belief.”
Thunder Strike History
With the victory, the Thunder wrapped up a dream season: a league-best 68-14 regular-season record, followed by 16 playoff wins to match the dominance of the ’96 and ’97 Bulls — the only other teams to win 84+ games in a single season.
Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, was the engine throughout. He led the league in scoring at 32.7 points per game, earned All-NBA First Team honors, and was voted the Kia NBA MVP, outpacing Denver’s Nikola Jokić. He also claimed the Western Conference Finals MVP en route to the championship, making him one of the rare players to sweep the major awards in a single season.
A Season for the Record Books
By winning the scoring title, MVP, and Finals MVP all in the same campaign, Gilgeous-Alexander joined an elite club that includes Michael Jordan (4x), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1971), and Shaquille O’Neal (2000).
In the Finals, he averaged 30.3 points over seven games, setting the tone for a young Thunder team built on pace, patience, and poise.
“It’s hard to even fathom that I’m that type of basketball player sometimes,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “As a kid, you dream. But you never really know if it’ll come true.”
Steady in the Storm
While his skillset dazzles, Gilgeous-Alexander’s greatest asset may be his calm under pressure. According to Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, it’s that mental makeup that has helped stabilize and elevate the entire franchise.
“He really doesn’t change in any circumstance,” Daigneault said. “Present, poised, but confident — his confidence is contagious. He’s always had this uncanny ability to stay grounded and consistent, even through the highs and lows.”
That steadiness was evident in Game 7, as Gilgeous-Alexander battled through a tough shooting night, turned down forced shots, and instead looked to facilitate — making every possession count and empowering teammates around him.
Thunder Legacy Begins
For a franchise once defined by near-misses, blown leads, and painful what-ifs, the 2025 season has flipped the script. Led by the game’s newest superstar, Oklahoma City is not just back — they’re champions.
And with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander still entering his prime, this may be just the beginning.
