Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s journey to becoming an NBA superstar certainly wasn’t an overnight success. Even though the Charlotte Hornets chose him 11th in the 2018 draft, he was quickly traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on draft night itself.
After a promising first season, he was moved again – this time to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a blockbuster 2019 trade that sent Paul George to L.A. What seemed like a rebuilding step for OKC ended up being the most important decision their franchise has made since moving from Seattle.
Now, six years later, Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t just the main player for the Thunder; he’s also the one who led them to their very first NBA title here in Oklahoma City. His journey from a quiet, tall guard to the league’s most complete offensive player truly peaked with an unforgettable performance in the Finals. For those interested in NBA betting Singapore, his incredible rise has certainly been a major talking point.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Breakout Finals Performance: A Superstar is Born
In the 2025 NBA Finals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander really showed up, putting up amazing numbers. He averaged 30.3 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game. When it came down to the crucial Game 7, he truly excelled, scoring 29 points and dishing out 12 assists, skillfully guiding the Thunder’s offense with remarkable accuracy.
His outstanding play earned him the highly sought-after Bill Russell Finals MVP award. This achievement wrapped up an already fantastic season where he also secured the NBA MVP and the league’s scoring title. This rare “trifecta” – winning the NBA MVP, scoring title, and Finals MVP in one season – has only been accomplished by three other legendary players in basketball history:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1971)
- Michael Jordan (1991, 1992, 1996, 1998)
- Shaquille O’Neal (2000)
Gilgeous-Alexander’s twin MVP victories are a major highlight, making him the first player since LeBron James in 2013 to grab both the regular season MVP and Finals MVP in the same year. Without a doubt, his 2024–25 season will be remembered as one of the most dominant individual performances ever. It firmly places him among the greatest players in the league’s history, all accomplished before he even reached the age of 27.
For those interested in basketball betting Singapore, his performance this season truly redefined what’s possible on the court.
Thunder’s Road to the Championship
The Thunder’s journey through the playoffs was seriously tough, as they went up against some of the best teams out there. They started by sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies 4-0, which really showed how strong their defense was.
Next, in the Western Conference Semifinals, they faced off against the Denver Nuggets, who were the top contenders at the time. It was a brutal seven-game series, but the Thunder pulled through, winning Game 7 in a big way. After that, they took on the Minnesota Timberwolves, beating them in five games with a ton of three-pointers and incredibly tight defense.
Their 16-7 playoff record really proved how tough and deep their team was. Even with injuries and other challenges, the Thunder stuck to their style: playing fast, sharing the ball, and never giving up. They had an amazing regular season too, winning 68 games. That was the best in their franchise’s history and even tied for the fifth-most wins ever in the NBA.
This kind of performance is exactly why you’d see them as a top contender on basketball betting sites.
Key Game-Changing Moments in the 2025 NBA Finals
The championship series against the Indiana Pacers started tough. In the very first game, Tyrese Haliburton sank a game-winning shot right at the end, stealing a 111-110 victory in Oklahoma City. The Thunder managed to bounce back and win Game 2. However, after losing Game 3 in Indiana, they suddenly found themselves down 2-1 in the series.
Game 4, though, was where things really changed. The Thunder were behind late in the game, but Gilgeous-Alexander just exploded. He scored an incredible 12 points in a row during the last five minutes, including a crucial three-pointer and some free throws that locked in a 111-104 comeback win. That huge momentum carried right into Games 5 and 7.
In those games, OKC’s defense was incredible, forcing the Pacers to turn over the ball a combined 44 times, which then led to 64 points for the Thunder.
Supporting Cast Stepped Up: How the Thunder’s Young Core Made History
The Thunder team that won the Finals had an average age of 24.7 years old. This actually made them the second-youngest team to ever win an NBA championship, with only the 1977 Trail Blazers being younger. On the other side, the Pacers averaged just over 26.5 years. Together, this made for one of the youngest Finals matchups ever seen.
Speaking of individual performances:
- Jalen Williams really shined in the Finals, averaging 23.6 points per game. He even had an amazing 40-point game in Game 5.
- Then there’s Chet Holmgren, the 7-foot center. He contributed 18 points and 5 blocks in the deciding Game 7, and across the whole series, he averaged 11.3 points and 9 rebounds.
- And let’s not overlook Alex Caruso, who used to play for the Lakers. He brought a lot of valuable championship experience to the team. In the final game, he scored 10 points and grabbed 3 steals, putting in crucial minutes all through the series.
What This Win Means for Oklahoma City’s Future in the NBA
The Thunder wrapped up their regular season with an incredible 68-14 record. That’s the best in the Western Conference and ties them for the third-most wins ever in NBA history, with only the 2015-16 Warriors and 1995-96 Bulls having more. Plus, their +12.9 point differential was the highest ever recorded for a full season.
With their 16-7 playoff run, a Finals MVP who’s under 27, and a roster packed with up-and-coming stars, Oklahoma City is clearly in position to become the NBA’s next powerhouse team. They even have a bunch of future first-round picks, giving them options to add even more strength. The Thunder aren’t just champions—they’ve truly built a team that’s meant to last.
From Silence to Thunder: A New Era Begins in Oklahoma City
For a long time, many didn’t pay much attention to the Thunder, even underestimating them. But now, they’ve truly burst into the spotlight! With a truly exceptional talent like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way, and a brave young team around him, Oklahoma City’s championship win signals the arrival of a major new force in the NBA. This is a team that’s definitely here to stay.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many points did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander average in the 2025 NBA Finals?
SGA put up some impressive numbers in the Finals, averaging 30.3 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game. Those stats were strong enough to secure him the Finals MVP award.
Who did the Thunder defeat in the 2025 NBA Finals?
The Thunder clinched the championship in a gripping seven-game series against the Indiana Pacers, wrapping it up with a 103–91 win in Game 7.
Is this Oklahoma City Thunder’s first NBA Championship?
Yes, this is actually the Thunder’s very first NBA title since they moved from Seattle back in 2008. The team’s only other championship happened in 1979, when they were known as the Seattle SuperSonics.
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