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OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues historic season advancing to NBA Finals

Originally posted on Ball Exclusives
By Stephen M. Smith | Last updated May 29, 2025 2:59 PM ET

Oklahoma City is returning to the NBA Finals for the first time since the 2011-12 season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has an opportunity to lead Sam Presti and the Thunder to its first NBA Championship since the franchise moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City. The 26-year-old Canadian is having a historic season as a guard in the league, tying Kevin Durant for most 30-point games in a single playoff run in Thunder history. Alexander totaled eleven 30+ point matchups this postseason, including four in the Western Conference Finals versus Minnesota. SGA becomes the first player since Stephen Curry (2015-16) to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player honor and reach the NBA Finals in the same season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has tied KD for the most 30-PT games in a single playoff run in OKC history. pic.twitter.com/FcsZ4ZrOJe

— Real Sports (@realapp_) May 29, 2025

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the first player to win MVP and reach the NBA Finals in the same season since Steph Curry in 2015-16.

Insane… pic.twitter.com/uCVFLEmiY3

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 29, 2025

He also captured MVP honors in the Western Conference Finals, averaging 31.4 points per game against the Timberwolves.

Alexander won league MVP, Western Conference Finals MVP, first-team All-NBA selection, NBA scoring title, and All-Star honoree in the 2024-25 campaign. A Larry O’Brien trophy is the final piece to the puzzle for SGA.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander so far this season:

– MVP
– 1st Team All-NBA
– WCF MVP
– Scoring Title
– All-Star

One of the greatest guard seasons in NBA history and it isn’t finished yet. pic.twitter.com/vzVjubTJ7l

— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) May 29, 2025

He will face either the Pacers or Knicks to get it done. Alexander is starting to look like the new face of the NBA.

This article first appeared on Ball Exclusives and was syndicated with permission.

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