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Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 2025 Finals Run Draws Bold May 18, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) fouls Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) in game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 2025 Finals Run Draws Bold 'Statue' Prediction From Paul Pierce

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 9:49 AM ET

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is four playoff wins away from completing his dream season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. After winning the league MVP and Western Conference MVP awards, Gilgeous-Alexander can cap it off with his first NBA championship at the expense of the Indiana Pacers.

Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce believes Gilgeous-Alexander can do it, and if he does, the Oklahoma City Thunder should at least consider honoring the Canadian guard with a statue.

“A championship for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will not only make him the greatest Thunder, but it ensures his statue at the tender age of 26,” Pierce said on FS1’s Speak. “If you were to leave Oklahoma City after this year, best believe they don’t put a statue of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for giving OKC their first NBA championship in franchise history, which I believe will happen. He’s been unstoppable in these playoffs, he’s had an unbelievable run.”

Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 2025 Finals Run Draws Bold Mar 10, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) moves the ball around Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

“I looked up the last time that somebody not only won the scoring title, MVP and the title, so he’s on an incredible run, and he’ll also be the first player to — and I know the award just came out, the Eastern Conference MVP, Western Conference MVP, he’s gonna sweep all the things. He’s gonna wake up after the championship and look at his trophy case and have this, this, this, this. All in one year,” he added.

Oklahoma City Thunder News: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander receives “unstoppable” label from former player

Former Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins praised Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for his growth this season.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Gets 100% Honest on His Shooting Struggles Vs. Memphis Grizzlies 7 Mar 5, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles as Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) defends during the third quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

“Knocking on the door of being the best player in the game. We know he’s going to go out there and get you 30 points a night; he led the league in scoring. Throughout these playoffs, we saw growth in SGA,” Perkins said about Gilgeous-Alexander via NBA Today.

“He has the mid-range game. So pressuring him 94 feet, that’s not going to work. When he gets a head of steam and gets downhill, we know he’s finishing. He’s a finisher around the basket, and we definitely know you can’t stop him from finishing around the basket because he knows how to get to the free-throw line,” he added.