Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became the 11th player in NBA history to win the league MVP and Finals MVP in the same season.
Thunder beat Pacers in Game 7 of NBA Finals, win franchise’s first title
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Pacers in Game 7 to capture the franchise’s first NBA title.
Sports Pulse
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder star, is commonly referred to by initials, SGA. You can also call him MVP – not only of the 2024-25 regular season but now of the 2025 NBA Finals, too.
A fluid, 6-foot-6 guard, Gilgeous-Alexander became the first Canadian to win the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award after leading the Thunder past the Indiana Pacers for the franchise’s first NBA title since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points and added 12 assists and five rebounds in the Thunder’s 103-91 win in Game 7 on Sunday, June 22.
Wearing Classic 6 Stitch Braids and a look of utter confidence, Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, was unmistakable and almost unstoppable during the series.
WINNER: Celebrate OKC Thunder’s NBA title with our gear, books, keepsakes
NBA FINALS GAME 7 RECAP: Highlights from Thunder’s win over Pacers
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 30.3 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals and shot 44.3% from the field in the Finals. That made him the clear pick for Finals MVP honors, and he put his name in elite company.
Gilgeous-Alexander became the 11th player in NBA history to win the league MVP and Finals MVP in the same season, joining Willis Reed (1969-70), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970-71), Moses Malone (1982-83), Larry Bird (1983-84, 1985-86), Magic Johnson (1986-87), Michael Jordan (1990-91, 1991-92, 1995-96, 1997-98), Hakeem Olajuwon (1993-94), Shaquille O’Neal (1999-00), Tim Duncan (2002-03) and LeBron James (2011-12, 2012-13).
MOST VALUABLE: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins first NBA MVP award
The road to MVP status began in 2018. Gilgeous-Alexander was drafted 11th overall by the Charlotte Hornets and traded that same night to the Los Angeles Clippers.
After making the All-Rookie Second Team, he was on the move again – traded to Oklahoma City. It’s where he blossomed.
This season, his seventh in the league, Gilgeous-Alexander has gone from very good to great. He led the league in scoring with 32.7 points per game and total points (2,484), made his third All-Star Gae and was named to the All-NBA First Team for the first time.
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