Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is currently experiencing the peak of his professional basketball career. Not only has he achieved extraordinary success on an individual level, but he has also led the Oklahoma City Thunder to new heights this season. In 2025, the star guard was named the Western Conference Finals MVP, playing a crucial role in guiding the Thunder to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012—a 13-year wait finally ended.
A Rare Honor in a Short History
The Western Conference Finals MVP award is relatively new in NBA history, having only been introduced in 2022. This makes Gilgeous-Alexander just the fourth player to ever receive the accolade in the West, joining an elite list that includes Stephen Curry (2022), Nikola Jokic (2023), and Luka Doncic (2024).
Interestingly, both Curry and Jokic went on to claim NBA Finals MVP honors and lead their teams to NBA championships in the same season they won the Western Finals MVP—though neither secured the regular season MVP in those respective years.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander MVP Path: Chasing a Historic Quadruple
Unlike his predecessors, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has already secured the NBA’s highest individual honor. He was officially named the 2025 NBA Most Valuable Player, winning the vote over top contenders Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. His outstanding regular season included a career-best 34.2 points per game, making him the league’s leading scorer.
With the Western Conference Finals MVP and the regular season MVP already under his belt, SGA is now just two steps away from a truly unprecedented feat: becoming the first player in NBA history to win four major accolades in a single season—NBA MVP, Conference Finals MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and an NBA Championship.
Not even legends like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, or Larry Bird achieved this quad MVP sweep—mainly because the conference MVP awards didn’t exist during their eras.
Dominating the West: Thunder Crush Timberwolves
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s journey to the Finals has been nothing short of dominant. In the 2025 Western Conference Finals, they faced off against the Minnesota Timberwolves and came out on top with a convincing 4-1 series win. Their clinching performance in Game 5 at Paycom Center was a showcase of total team dominance, finishing with a commanding 124-94 victory.
Throughout the five-game series, Gilgeous-Alexander was at the heart of the Thunder’s success. He averaged 31.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game—truly MVP-caliber numbers. In the decisive Game 5 alone, he delivered a sensational performance with 34 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds.
Thunder Await Eastern Conference Winner
With their ticket to the Finals secured, the Thunder now await their opponent from the Eastern Conference. As of now, the Indiana Pacers appear to be favorites to advance, holding a 3-1 lead over the New York Knicks in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals. If the Pacers finish the job, fans will witness a thrilling clash between one of the NBA’s most balanced young teams and a surging Oklahoma City squad led by one of the league’s brightest superstars.
The 2025 NBA Finals Game 1 is scheduled to tip off on June 6, and all eyes will be on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as he continues his quest for basketball immortality.
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