Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerged as the undisputed star of Oklahoma City Thunder’s crushing 125-93 Game 7 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
The Thunder guard delivered a masterful performance, scoring 35 points on an efficient 63.2% shooting while hitting 75% of his three-point attempts without turning the ball over once.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s remarkable showing in the pressure-cooker Game 7 atmosphere demonstrated his ability to elevate his game when it matters most, carrying Oklahoma City’s offense throughout the decisive contest.
After the victory, teammate Chet Holmgren didn’t hold back his praise for the star guard. “You know who this is? The MVP,” Holmgren declared after the game.
Gilgeous-Alexander responded to his teammate’s comment with a knowing smile, seemingly acknowledging the significance of the moment and perhaps agreeing with the sentiment.
The timing of Holmgren’s proclamation carries extra weight, considering Gilgeous-Alexander is currently locked in a tight MVP race with Nuggets star Nikola Jokic—the same player he just outdueled in the elimination game.
Following Holmgren’s bold statement, Thunder fans and NBA enthusiasts flooded social media to voice their support for Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP credentials.
“The deserving MVP,” wrote one fan account, emphasizing how SGA successfully led the Thunder’s remarkable comeback from a 1-2 series deficit to ultimately prevail 4-3.
Another supporter highlighted the broader success of the season, writing: “Win a championship or not, this season was already a success,” suggesting Gilgeous-Alexander deserves the MVP award regardless of the Thunder’s final playoff outcome.
Some fans believe this performance will change how the basketball world views the young star.
“This game has altered how people look at SGA from this day forward,” another fan wrote, suggesting the guard has been underappreciated throughout his career.
Others are already envisioning an even grander prize for their star player, as Gilgeous-Alexander now has the opportunity to become the first player since LeBron James in 2013 to capture both MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same season.
However, significant challenges remain before such dreams can become reality.
The Thunder must first navigate the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who present their own formidable obstacles.
If successful, Oklahoma City would have the chance to capture their first championship in franchise history, with Gilgeous-Alexander positioned as the driving force behind this potential historic achievement.
