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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a key player that Oklahoma City Thunder received when the organization exchanged Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers before the 2019-20 season.
The Thunder was not very good to start the new era with Gilgeous-Alexander in mind, but once the team saw Dort, Jalen Williams and finally Chet Holmgren play together and stay healthy together, it changed full game.
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The Oklahoma Thunder goalkeeper City Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots against the center of Indiana Pacers Myles Turner (33) in the first half of match 7 of the Basketball series of the NBA final on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (Photo / Kyle Phillips)
He resulted in the victory of Thunder Match 7 over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday evening. Gilgeous-Alexander, already the MVP of the regular season and the MVP of the Western Conference final, scored 29 points and collected 12 assists during the 103-91 victory.
With its clutch performance, Gilgeous-Alexander received the MVP Bill Russell Trophy recognizing it as the MVP of the NBA final. He collected 38 points in a defeat of match 1 and followed him in match 2 when Oklahoma City needed to link the series. He scored 31 points in match 5 to push Indiana on the edge.
He raised the trophy in front of a delighted crowd to Oklahoma City.
The Oklahoma City Thunder goalkeeper Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, on the left, drew against the Indiana Pacers Andrew Nembhard goalkeeper in the second half of match 7 of the NBA Basketball series on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (Photo / nate billings)
Thunder Blow Out Pacers in match 7 to win the NBA championship
“It is not only a victory for me. It is a victory for my family. It is a victory for my friends. It is a victory for all those who were in my corner growing up. It is a victory for the fans-the best fans of the world,” he told Lisa Salters d’Espn after receiving the MVP from the final.
The MVP of the NBA final puts a ceiling on a phenomenal season for Gilgeous-Alexander.
He led the NBA with 32.7 points per game on the way to win the first NBA MVP in his career. It was the third consecutive season that he was an All-Star.
Oklahoma goalkeeper City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) moves the field on the field against the Indiana Pacers in the second half of match 6 of the NBA basketball series on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (Photo / abbie parr)
Oklahoma City finished with a 68-14 file – the best of the NBA. This is the first title since the team moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City. The supersonics won an NBA title in 1979.
