Oklahoma City Thunder make history with first NBA championship as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is honored with his own day
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Downtown Oklahoma City turned into a sea of blue and orange on Tuesday as thousands of fans poured into the streets to celebrate a moment more than a decade in the making — the Thunder's first-ever NBA championship.
With the Larry O'Brien Trophy finally in hand, players and coaches paraded through a roaring crowd, cheered on by a city beaming with pride. At the center of the celebration was none other than Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose incredible postseason performance not only etched his name in franchise history but also earned him a citywide tribute that stunned the crowd.
MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander cements his legacy as Oklahoma City declares a day in his name
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
stood at the heart of it all — shirtless, wrapped in a Canadian flag, and holding the
NBA
's ultimate prize high above his head.
The 26-year-old guard had been electric throughout the playoffs, and the fans returned that energy tenfold as they celebrated with him during the Thunder's championship parade.
Across a grueling 23-game postseason run, he was nothing short of spectacular. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 29.9 points, 6.5 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and shot nearly 88% from the free-throw line. His defining moment came in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the
Indiana Pacers
, where he delivered 29 points, 12 assists, and played 40 critical minutes to lead Oklahoma City to a 104–97 win and its first-ever NBA title.
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But the most unforgettable moment of the parade didn't come from the court — it came from the stage at Scissortail Park.
Amid the confetti and deafening cheers, Oklahoma City mayor
David Holt
took the microphone and made an announcement that instantly became part of franchise lore: July 30, 2025, will officially be recognized as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Day. The honor was meant to celebrate not just his clutch playoff run, but also his 2024–25 regular season MVP campaign — a rare double achievement for any NBA star, especially one still rising.
Gilgeous-Alexander's journey to this moment has been anything but linear. Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 2018, he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on draft night and spent just one season there before being dealt to Oklahoma City in the 2019 blockbuster Paul George trade. Since then, he has grown into more than just a franchise player — he's become the face of the Thunder's rebuild and now, its championship breakthrough.
Under contract through the 2026–27 season, Gilgeous-Alexander is eligible for a four-year, $293 million supermax extension. Given his production, leadership, and deep connection with the city, it's hard to imagine Oklahoma City letting their superstar go anywhere else.
Also Read:
'Hopefully I'm somewhere close' — MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander channels Kobe Bryant's legacy in his defining 2025 NBA Finals moment
The parade may have lasted only one afternoon, but the impact of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's historic postseason will echo across Oklahoma City for years to come. With a championship ring, a Finals MVP, a regular season MVP, and now an official day named in his honor, his legacy is firmly rooted in Thunder history — and this chapter is only just beginning.
For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the
India vs England Test match here
.
Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
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