The NBA Finals begins on Thursday night as the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the series.
Oklahoma City enters the NBA Finals as the heavy favorites to win the championship as they try to continue their dominant stretch.
Of course, the Thunder dominated their way through the regular season, ending with the best record in the NBA, and that has continued during their postseason run.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) with the Michael Jordan Trophy for winning the most valuable player award for the 2024-25 season.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) with the Michael Jordan Trophy for winning the most valuable player award for the 2024-25 season.
© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has continued to lead the way for the Thunder during the playoffs after he was named the regular season MVP and was then awarded the Western Conference Finals MVP award after their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It has been a historic season for the superstar point guard and he also enters the NBA Finals looking to accomplish another rare feat.
According to the NBA, Shai has a chance to become the first player to win the scoring title and championship in the same season since Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal did so during the 1999-2000 campaign.
Of course, Shaq averaged 29.7 points per game en route to winning the scoring title and the MVP award during the 1999-2000 season and he and Kobe Bryant also led the Lakers to a championship with Shaq taking home the Finals MVP award.
The Lakers also defeated the Pacers in the NBA Finals in 2000 when Shaq accomplished this rare feat and Shai can do the same thing against the same team 25 years later.
Mar 24, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA: Former Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal speaks during a NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Staples Center.
Mar 24, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA: Former Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal speaks during a NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Staples Center.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
During the regular season, Shai averaged 32.7 points per game to lead the NBA and like Shaq in 2000, he also has a chance to accomplish another historic feat, which would cap off a historic season for the 26-year-old superstar.
Of course, it all starts in Game 1 on Thursday night as the Thunder try to defend their home court and start the series off with a victory.