Shai Gilgeous-Alexander cemented his legacy in basketball history Sunday, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 103-91 Game 7 victory over the Indiana Pacers while securing the NBA Finals MVP award. The 26-year-old Canadian guard becomes the first player since LeBron James in 2013 to claim both regular-season and Finals MVP honors in a single campaign.
"This is why you play the sport – to win," Gilgeous-Alexander declared post-game, dedicating the victory to his support network. "We rose to the moment as competitors and earned this."
The Thunder star delivered a masterclass performance with 29 points, 12 assists, and 5 rebounds in the championship decider, joining an elite group of 11 players to achieve the dual MVP feat – a list featuring Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Oklahoma City's triumph capped a historic 84-win season across regular and playoff games, matching the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls' record. Teammates Jalen Williams (20 points) and Chet Holmgren (18 points) provided crucial support in the title-clinching effort.
The victory marks Oklahoma City's first NBA championship since 2012, signaling a new era for the franchise as young stars redefine basketball excellence in Asia's growing basketball market and beyond.
