Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Finally Stopped Carrying Burden of Championship Dream with Historic Season

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was overjoyed on Sunday after leading his team to the first championship in franchise history.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Finally Stopped Carrying Burden of Championship Dream with Historic Season

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Image by FirstSportz)

After one of the most dominant seasons in franchise history, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the 2025 NBA champions—led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who carried the team from start to finish. As the confetti fell, emotion was written all over SGA’s face.

The 26-year-old led the Thunder with 29 points and 12 assists, capping an incredible season by winning MVP awards for both the regular season and the Finals. The team won its first championship since moving from Seattle, thanks to his play. When questioned how it felt to finally win an NBA championship after the game, SGA answered without hesitation.

So much weight off my shoulders, so much stress relieved um yeah–It feels good to be a champion.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said

When asked about the team’s leadership, Gilgeous-Alexander gave appreciation to owner Clay Bennett, head coach Mark Daigneault, and general manager Sam Presti for creating a “winning environment.” Gilgeous-Alexander became a member of the elite club as he won a scoring title, MVP, and Finals MVP in the same year. He acknowledged the importance, but continued to concentrate on his supporters.

Winning a first-ever championship is never easy, but the Thunder made it look effortless. Dominating from start to finish, they clinched the top seed with over 60 wins and stormed through the playoffs, taking down the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and finally the Pacers to cap off a historic run.

SGA led the charge alongside rising stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, forming a powerhouse trio. His 2024-25 campaign will be remembered as one of the greatest individual seasons ever, claiming every major accolade.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes NBA history after securing the 2025 NBA title

Gilgeous-Alexander’s name is all over the NBA headlines as he was the main man for the Thunder all season. Without SGA, the Thunder would not have been celebrating at the Paycom Center on Sunday. His monumental season got summed up in Game 7 of the Finals against the Pacers, also recording NBA history in the process.

During the Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander shot 44.3% from the floor and produced 30.3 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.9 steals. That put his image in prestigious company and made him the obvious choice for Finals MVP.

SGA joined the likes of Shaquille O’Neal (1999-2000), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970-71) and Michael Jordan (1990-91, ’91-92, ’95-96, ’97-98), who all won league MVP, Finals MVP, and the scoring title in the same season to become just the fourth player in NBA history and the first to do so since 2000. Additionally, he became the eleventh player to earn both season MVP and Finals MVP in the same season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a promising remark after winning Game 7 on Sunday

Following the match, SGA talked about his team’s victory. The championship, according to Gilgeous-Alexander, was “a great start” for this Thunder generation.

We have a lot to grow, individually and as a group. I’m excited for the future of this team. This is a great start. I’m really excited for this team.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander told the reporters
Shai Gilgeous
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Image by FirstSportz)

It’s interesting to note that the Thunder is the youngest NBA Finals champion squad since 1977, with a standard age of 25.6. The evident togetherness among Oklahoma City’s players surfaced as a characteristic of their run to the championship with an annual campaign that saw them record a franchise-high 68 wins.

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