Quick Read
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won both NBA MVP and Finals MVP in 2025, leading the Thunder to their first championship since moving to Oklahoma City.
- He scored 72 points in his first two Finals games—a new NBA record for that span.
- The NBA returns to NBC after 20 years, with Shai and the Thunder headlining the season opener against Kevin Durant’s Houston Rockets.
- Thunder teammate Jalen Williams will miss the opener due to wrist surgery but is expected to return soon.
- Shai is praised for his scoring, playmaking, and team-first approach, marking him as the league’s next superstar.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Ascending as the NBA’s Next Icon
The NBA has always thrived on star power. For nearly two decades, names like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant have dominated not just the courts but the conversation around basketball. Yet, as these legends edge closer to the twilight of their careers, a new leading man is stepping into the limelight: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
MVP Season and Historic Finals Performance
The 2024-25 NBA season was a pivotal one for both Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Named the league’s Most Valuable Player, Shai didn’t just put up numbers—he made history. In the 2025 NBA Finals, facing the Indiana Pacers, he delivered a string of performances that were as efficient as they were electrifying. In Game 2, for instance, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points on 11-for-21 shooting, tallied eight assists, grabbed five rebounds, and snagged four steals, leading the Thunder to a 123-107 victory that tied the series.
His consistency was remarkable: over the first two Finals games, he racked up 72 points, the most ever by a player in that span. He scored at least 30 points in 13 of Oklahoma City’s 18 playoff games, including nine of his last ten. With averages of 30.4 points, 6.8 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals on 47.4% shooting during the playoffs (USA TODAY), it’s clear why he was not only MVP but also Finals MVP—a rare double accomplishment reserved for the league’s elite.
Thunder’s Team-First Approach and Banner Moment
What sets Gilgeous-Alexander apart isn’t just his scoring. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault emphasized his growth as a playmaker: “The scoring and efficiency get a lot of shine, but he’s really steadily improved as a playmaker.” In Game 2, six of his eight assists resulted in three-pointers from five different teammates. Shai himself is quick to credit his squad: “I don’t play in space as much as I do without having them out there. Whether it’s a slide-out or a set, those guys are the reason why we’re as good of a team as we are. I just add to it.”
This team-first mentality, coupled with his on-court leadership, helped the Thunder clinch their first championship since relocating from Seattle in 2008. Before the season opener against the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City will raise their championship banner—a moment that will resonate not only with Thunder fans but across the NBA landscape (El-Balad).
The NBA Returns to NBC, Shai Headlines the New Era
The timing of Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise is almost poetic. The NBA is making its grand return to NBC after a 20-year absence, and the season opener will showcase Shai’s Thunder against Kevin Durant’s new team, the Houston Rockets. Durant, himself a 15-time All-Star and former Thunder legend, will debut for the Rockets, adding further intrigue to the matchup. The opening night will be broadcast to millions, with pre-game festivities and a championship banner unveiling at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
This isn’t just a game—it’s a statement of transition. The league is actively seeking its next face, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made it clear: “Over time those stars are made on the floor, not by the league office.” The spotlight is no longer reserved for the old guard; it’s shifting toward Gilgeous-Alexander, who seems ready to carry it forward.
Fashion, Focus, and the Face of a New Generation
Off the court, Shai’s style and demeanor have become talking points. Sporting fashionable sunglasses to press conferences and exuding a quiet confidence, he embodies a modern superstar—comfortable in his own skin, thoughtful, and modest. “No one-man show achieves what I’m trying to achieve with this game,” he said, emphasizing his desire for team success over individual accolades.
Teammate Jalen Williams, who unfortunately will miss the season opener due to wrist surgery recovery (TalkBasket), praised Gilgeous-Alexander’s trust in his teammates: “When your best player is out there and he trusts you to make a play, it just gives you more confidence.” Williams himself had a breakout year, earning All-Star honors and contributing to the Thunder’s run, but even with his absence, the Thunder’s identity revolves around Shai’s unselfish leadership.
Setting the Stage for the 2025-26 Season
The NBA’s NBC return isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about ushering in a new chapter. The opening night features not only Shai and Durant but also Stephen Curry’s Warriors facing Luka Dončić’s Lakers. Curry, now in his 17th season, and Dončić, a new addition to the Lakers, represent the evolving landscape of superstars.
During halftime of the Thunder-Rockets game, fans will get a special treat: Mike Tirico’s exclusive interview with Michael Jordan, part of the “MJ: Insights to Excellence” series. These moments, along with the championship banner and all-star lineups, symbolize both a celebration of the league’s past and a passing of the torch to its future.
Shai’s Place in NBA History—and Its Future
Gilgeous-Alexander’s journey to the top hasn’t been overnight. At 26, his game combines an uncanny ability to score with a relentless drive to improve. He gets to the free throw line, creates opportunities for teammates, and navigates defenses with speed and precision. Opposing coaches, like Rick Carlisle of the Pacers, now prepare for Shai as a nightly inevitability: “You can mark down 34 points before they even get on the plane tomorrow.”
The numbers are impressive, but the intangibles—leadership, humility, and an unwavering commitment to his team—set him apart. In an era where the league is searching for its next superstar to define the narrative, Gilgeous-Alexander is making his case on every stage, from playoff heroics to season-opening headliners.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s emergence as the NBA’s new leading man is no accident. His blend of individual brilliance and team-first mentality aligns perfectly with the league’s evolving values. As the NBA returns to NBC and a new generation of stars steps forward, Shai stands at the intersection of history and future—ready to shape the next chapter, not just for Oklahoma City, but for basketball itself.