In a nail-biting Game 7 at Paycom Center, Canadian superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 103-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers, securing the NBA Finals title and claiming Finals MVP honors.
At 26, Gilgeous-Alexander became the first player since LeBron James in 2013 to win both the NBA regular season MVP and Finals MVP in the same year, joining an elite club of 11 legends including Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan and Michael Jordan.
SGA powered the win with 29 points, 12 assists, five rebounds, two blocks and a steal, while Jalen Williams added 20 points and Chet Holmgren chipped in 18. Oklahoma City wrapped up an historic season with 84 combined wins, tying the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls for the third-most in a single campaign.
This milestone resonates across continents, as young athletes from Tokyo to Toronto draw inspiration from Gilgeous-Alexander's rise. His blend of skill, teamwork and grit highlights the global impact of the NBA and underscores a new generation of stars transforming the sport.
Reference(s):
SGA named NBA Finals MVP as Thunder defeat Pacers 103-91 to seal title
cgtn.com