A year after finishing runner-up in the MVP race, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander exacted his revenge.
He finished the 2024-25 regular season scoring 32.7 points per game on 51.9% shooting, while averaging 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steaks and 1.0 blocks en route to winning the MVP award. When accepting the award, the former No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft admitted he never thought he'd win the prestigious award.
"I always thought that I could be a really good player because I had seen what putting your head down and working and controlling what you control can do for you," he said. "I made tremendous strides, but I never thought this was going to happen."
"I dreamt about it as a kid, but as a kid, it's a fake dream. But as the days go on and you realize that you get closer to your dream, it's hard to not freak out. It's hard to not be a 6-year-old kid again. And I think that's what's allowed me to achieve it. I tried to just not focus on it and just worry about what's gotten to this place."
During his speech, Gilgeous-Alexander offered a heartfelt message for wife Hailey Summers not long after the couple celebrated their son's first birthday.
"The one and only Hailey Summers," he said before pausing as he became overcome with emotion. "Sorry I'm so dramatic. Thank you for everything you are - for me, for our son, Ares. You were the first person to show me what love really meant, what sacrifice really meant."
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"And I can't wait to spend the rest of this journey called life with you, so thank you for everything. I wouldn't be the man I am, I wouldn't be the player I am, I wouldn't be the father I am without you, so thank you for that," he added.
Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are hoping for a better outcome to Game 2 after suffering a last-second loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 1.