After a gritty, hard-fought series, the Oklahoma City Thunder—who had been the best team in the league all season—capped off their dominant run by winning their first championship since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008, defeating the Indiana Pacers in seven games.
While their success was built on a tightly knit collective effort on both ends of the floor, none of it would have been possible without the leadership and brilliance of Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
He added NBA Finals MVP honors to his resume, having already earned the regular season MVP and scoring champion titles. Night after night, he served as the driving force behind one of the most formidable teams in recent memory.
On Sunday night, Gilgeous-Alexander delivered once again, finishing with a game-high 29 points, 12 assists, and five rebounds. As the final buzzer sounded, the first people he embraced were his wife, Hailey Summers, his child, Ares, and his father—who were all seated courtside.
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Just over a month ago, when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named NBA MVP, he delivered an emotional message highlighting the vital role his wife, Hailey, has played in his journey. The two met back in 2017 as high school athletes in Canada, and since then, she’s been a constant source of support throughout his remarkable career.
"The one and only Hailey Summers," Alexander said. "Thank you for everything you are — for me, for our son Ares. You were the first person to show me what love and sacrifice really meant… I wouldn’t be the man, the player, or the father I am without you."
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) hugs his son Ares Alexander alongside his wife Hailey Summers after his team defeated the Denver Nuggets during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
This season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds while leading the Thunder to a league-best 68–14 record and securing the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference for the second straight year.
Now, at just 27 years old, he can finally call himself an NBA champion—something Oklahoma City has come close to in years past, but now, it’s officially become a reality.