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NBA Reacts to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Gesture After Winning Finals

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Robert Marvi | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 2:14 AM ET

Since moving away from Seattle in 2008, the Oklahoma City Thunder have had some very competitive teams and even some excellent teams. They reached the NBA Finals in 2012 with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden, all young and hungry, only to fall in five games.

But now, the Thunder can call themselves world champions after defeating the Indiana Pacers, 103-91, in Game 7 of this year's finals on Sunday. Although superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shot poorly in that game, he was named the series MVP, to go along with the regular-season MVP and scoring title he recently earned.

During the postgame celebration, he made a heart gesture to the hometown crowd at Paycom Center, and the NBA posted a photo of it on its official X account.

" to OKC, from SGA," the caption read.

to OKC, from SGA. pic.twitter.com/nfEgGm4eHs
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2025

The Thunder are the only legitimate major pro sports team in Oklahoma City. It has a reputation for being a sleepy Southern town, but the Thunder have an outstanding following there, not to mention an enthralling home-court environment at Paycom Center in Bricktown.

Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, has been percolating over the last few years as an emerging superstar. But now, he has fully blossomed as one of basketball's very best players, and he has put together one of the most successful individual seasons in recent memory.

The Thunder have a deep, young and talented cast, and while there are hardly any certainties in today's parity-rich NBA, many feel that at least one more championship is in their immediate future. That means Gilgeous-Alexander could have a real shot at becoming arguably the best player of this generation.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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