Shai’s Crown to Lose: Thunder Star Leads Finals MVP Race After Legendary Run
As Oklahoma City nears its first title, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stands tall atop the Finals MVP Ladder—with a teammate making a strong push of his own
The Thunder Rolls, and Shai Reigns
INDIANAPOLIS — In a Finals filled with emerging stars and breakout moments, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the constant. With his team one win away from its first-ever NBA championship, he’s not just leading the Oklahoma City Thunder—he’s also redefining what it means to be a Finals MVP frontrunner.
OKC is up 3-2 in the series and could close out on Thursday night. If and when they do, Gilgeous-Alexander will likely collect more than just a championship ring—he’s poised to secure Finals MVP honors to cap off a historic individual season that already includes a regular season MVP, All-Star starter, scoring title, First Team All-NBA, and Western Conference Finals MVP.
The only thing left? The final stamp.
Why It’s Shai’s Race to Lose
In Game 5, SGA delivered perhaps his most complete Finals performance yet: 31 points, 10 assists, four blocks, and two steals. He’s now averaging 32.4 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.6 rebounds in the series, while also ranking among the top five in Finals history in both scoring and steals.
He’s the clutch scorer, the tone-setter, and the defensive anchor when it matters most. As his teammate Aaron Wiggins said:
“He’s a guy that just kind of continues to put our team in positions to go out there and win games.”
Gilgeous-Alexander has shown he’s up to the task in closeout situations before, thriving in the final games of OKC’s series against both Denver and Minnesota. If Game 6 follows that same script, the Finals MVP hardware is as good as his.
But Wait—Jalen Williams Is Rising Fast
Let’s be clear: Jalen Williams is not just along for the ride. His 40-point explosion in Game 5 stamped his name firmly in the MVP discussion.
Averaging 25.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in the series, Williams has ramped up his production when it matters most—he’s averaging 31 points over the last three games on 51% shooting. His combination of physicality, poise, and scoring aggression has made him more than just a sidekick.
Still, unless he repeats his Game 5 heroics in a potential Game 6 clincher while SGA takes a step back, the MVP nod remains a long shot. But it’s a testament to OKC’s depth that the two top MVP candidates wear the same jersey.
The Pacers’ Uphill Battle
Pascal Siakam remains Indiana’s best hope. He’s been a reliable engine, posting 20.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game in the series. With Tyrese Haliburton hobbled, Siakam has been forced to take on a larger scoring load. If the Pacers are to force a Game 7, Siakam may need to produce a herculean 35- or 40-point effort.
Haliburton, on the other hand, is struggling both physically and statistically. Averaging just 15 points, his mobility has been visibly limited. Barring a miraculous turnaround, he’s unlikely to climb into true MVP consideration—even if Indiana finds a way to survive.
Caruso: The X-Factor from the Bench
Alex Caruso is the ladder’s surprise entry. He’s OKC’s defensive ace, averaging 12.2 points and 2.8 steals per game off the bench. In two of OKC’s three wins, he scored 20 points—numbers he never touched during the regular season.
Caruso is also averaging the most steals in NBA Finals history for a bench player. When the Thunder need stops or chaos, it’s Caruso who brings the spark. He won’t win MVP, but his value in key moments has been undeniable.
The Final Word
Unless Indiana mounts a miracle comeback, the 2025 Finals MVP will come from Oklahoma City—and it’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s award to lose. With just one more elite performance, he’ll finish one of the greatest seasons in modern NBA history.
But if he slips, Jalen Williams might just seize the spotlight.
