Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Predicted to Repeat Feat Not Seen Since LeBron James
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Predicted to Repeat Feat Not Seen Since LeBron James originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Oklahoma City Thunder face the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals. The Thunder have home-court advantage in the series since they had the best record in the league during the regular season.
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OKC defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012. The 2011-12 Thunder faced the Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA Finals, a series the Heat won in five games.
NBA legend LeBron James won the 2012 Finals MVP Award. He also won the 2012 MVP Award. The leading scorer in NBA history won back-to-back MVPs and Finals MVPs in 2012 and 2013.
James is the last player to win MVP and Finals MVP in the same season.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderAlonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Thunder star point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won the MVP Award this year. If OKC wins the NBA Finals and Gilgeous-Alexander wins the Finals MVP Award, he will become just the 11th player in NBA history to accomplish that feat and Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report thinks it will happen.
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"The Pacers' home games will be competitive, but OKC is going to cap off this championship run with a sweep," Bailey wrote. "And SGA will be on stage after Game 4, hoisting a Finals MVP that will cement this as one of the best team and individual seasons ever."
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 points during the regular season. He led the NBA in total points and points per game.
In the 2025 Western Conference playoffs, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 29.8 points. He won the Western Conference final MVP Award.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Thunder and Pacers is on Thursday.
Related: LeBron James' Four-Word Reaction to Kevin Love and J.R. Smith's Latest Interaction
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
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