Canadian basketball star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recently shared his candid thoughts on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s inaugural NBA Championship. Despite achieving remarkable milestones during the 2024/25 season, including leading the league in scoring and earning both the Conference Finals MVP and Finals MVP awards, Gilgeous-Alexander expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the title was secured.
The Thunder finished the regular season with an impressive 68-14 record, the best in the league. However, the playoffs presented significant challenges as they were pushed to seven games in both the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets and the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers. Reflecting on these hard-fought series, Gilgeous-Alexander stated, “I didn’t like the way we won.”
This sentiment resonated with former NFL player and sports commentator Shannon Sharpe, who discussed Gilgeous-Alexander’s perspective on a recent episode of his show, Nightcap. Sharpe highlighted the intensity of the playoffs and the unpredictable nature of crucial injuries that can alter outcomes. “If Aaron Gordon doesn’t hurt his hamstring in that game seven, what happens? If Tyrese Haliburton doesn’t tear his Achilles in game seven, what happens?” he pondered, acknowledging the uncertainties that can influence championship runs.
In addition to his reflections on the Thunder’s playoff performance, Gilgeous-Alexander also indicated a desire for personal growth. Despite his phenomenal statistics, he noted, “For me as well, as a player, I don’t think I was good in the postseason as I was in the regular season.” This self-awareness is a testament to his commitment to continuous improvement.
Beginning the 2025/26 season with remarkable vigor, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 33 points per game, guiding the Thunder to a strong start with a 10-1 record, placing them first in the Western Conference. Notably, this success has been achieved without his primary supporting player, Jalen Williams.
Sharpe commended Gilgeous-Alexander’s mindset, underscoring his ambition to excel not only during the regular season but also in the postseason. “I like his mentality,” Sharpe remarked. “He’s like, ‘I wanna be dominant, I wanna be dominant in the postseason like I was in the regular season.’”
As the Thunder look ahead to the playoffs, the question remains whether they can build upon their current success. With Gilgeous-Alexander at the helm and a firm focus on improvement, the team appears well-positioned to make a significant impact. The coming months will determine if the Thunder’s aspirations align with their performance, shaping the narrative of what could be another historic season.
