May 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts after a play against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter during game two of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Heartfelt Chris Paul Statement

Originally posted on San Antonio Spurs on SI
By Logan Struck | Last updated May 23, 2025 11:47 AM ET

The Oklahoma City Thunder picked up a huge win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been incredible for Oklahoma City, averaging 34.5 points, 8.5 assists, and 3.0 steals through the first two games of the series.

San Antonio Spurs guard and pending NBA free agent Chris Paul publicly supported Gilgeous-Alexander after his monumental MVP win this week, but he took it to the next level by showing up in Oklahoma City on Thursday night to watch him play.

Paul only played for the Thunder for one season, but he got a touching standing ovation on Thursday night.

CP3 came back to OKC to support Shai ❤️ pic.twitter.com/tKJFLdv5X5
— ESPN (@espn) May 23, 2025

After his Game 2 win, Gilgeous-Alexander talked about Paul being in attendance and how much his former teammate means to him.

"He's been great," Gilgeous-Alexander said about Paul. "Not only like a big brother, mentor, but like a friend. He's always there to lean on. He was the first guy in my life that I was like close with that like achieved the things that I wanted to achieve. I really lean on him for advice... His guidance has been great. Not only as a mentor, but just being there as a friend has been special."

Shai on Chris Paul being in attendance:

"He was the first guy in my life that I was like close with that like achieved the things that I wanted to achieve. It caught me off guard. I had to like double take. I was like who is that sitting with my wife?" pic.twitter.com/jVs6hEHuyr
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 23, 2025

Gilgeous-Alexander also shared his funny reaction when he saw Paul sitting courtside next to his wife.

"It caught me off guard," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "I had to like double take. I was like 'Who's that sitting with my wife?' I got a little tight but then I seen it was Chris."

Paul has one of the most impactful veteran presences in the NBA, and the lasting impact he has had on Gilgeous-Alexander is very touching, especially after the Thunder superstar won MVP.

This article first appeared on San Antonio Spurs on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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