Shai Gilgeous-Alexander passes Sixers legend in NBA Finals debut
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander passes Sixers legend in NBA Finals debut
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been on one helluva run in 2024-25. The MVP winner averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds while leading the Thunder to a 68-14 record in the regular season and he has followed that up with averages of 30.4 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.6 rebounds in the playoffs as he has led OKC to the finals.
In his finals debut, Gilgeous-Alexander has been phenomenal as he has scored 72 points through the first two games of the series against the Indiana Pacers. He had 34 points in a 123-107 Game 2 win on Sunday to even the series at 1-1 and that is a new record for a player in his finals debut.
The previous record was held by Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson in his debut back in 2001. Iverson scored 71 points in the first two games as he led the Sixers to a 1-1 start as well, Philadelphia's win came in Game 1 of that series, but Gilgeous-Alexander has one-upped him for the Thunder.
The Thunder will look to take a 2-1 lead in the finals when the series shifts to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 3 on Wednesday.
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