May 26, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8), forward Chet Holmgren (7) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) talk to the media after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game four of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Ex-Clippers, Lakers Guard Patrick Beverley's Controversial NBA Finals Question

Originally posted on Los Angeles Clippers on SI
By Farbod Esnaashari | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 5:33 AM ET

To no one's surprise at all, the Oklahoma City Thunder are now officially one game away from winning an NBA championship as they lead the Indiana Pacers 3-2 in the NBA Finals.

What has been a surprise, though, is the play of Thunder forward Jalen Williams against the Pacers. In Game 5 on Monday night, Williams put up 40 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists on 56/60/75 shooting from the field. Throughout the NBA Finals as a whole, Williams is averaging 25.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 45/32/83 shooting from the field.

Williams' play has been so good that former Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers guard Patrick Beverley decided to has a very spicy question.

Via @patbev21: "Would yal be mad if JDub got MVP "

Would yal
be mad if JDub got MVP @PatBevPod
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) June 17, 2025

For as good as Jalen Williams has been throughout the NBA Finals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been flat out better. Shai is averaging 32.4 points, 5.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 1.8 blocks on 47/30/92 shooting from the field. Shai is doing it all on both ends of the floor, while also averaging nearly 50% from the field with over 30 points a game.

If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did not receive the NBA Finals MVP, it would be highly disrespectful and as controversial as when Andre Igudoala won it over Steph Curry in 2015.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Clippers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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