Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not just a scoring champion; he is also an NBA champion and an NBA Finals MVP. He is also a gem of a sports person. All in one season, all in one game, he proved why he is a true winner, not just of trophies but of hearts, too.
As the NBA world witnessed Tyrese Haliburton suffer the most devastating blow to his career in a highly crucial game, it was SGA who let go of team colors, extending support, consoling Haliburton as he poured his heart out, lying face down.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Goes Bigger-Than-Basketball With Thoughts for Tyrese Haliburton
This year’s NBA Finals Game 7 was a thriller, with its sprinkling of devastating losses. Tyrese Haliburton was performing well at the beginning of the game, but he fell to the floor soon, right in the first quarter. He pounded the floor immediately, letting out painful cries. His teammates surrounded him, resulting in a stoppage in the game for some time.
Along with the yellow jerseys was Gilgeous-Alexander in his blue. At that moment, colors and teams did not matter. What overcame everything was sportsmanship. SGA bent down a little, extended his arm, patted Haliburton on his back, trying to help him ease out, consoling him over what looked like an injury that might jeopardize his next season.
Even after the game, SGA did not shy away from speaking beautiful words about Haliburton, who did not return to the game after sustaining a reported Achilles tear. He said, “My heart dropped for him. I couldn’t imagine playing the biggest game of my life and something like that happening. I just felt so bad for him. Prayers go out to him for sure. Hell of a player.”
“My heart dropped for him. I couldn’t imagine playing the biggest game of my life and something like that happening. I just felt so bad for him. Prayers go out to him for sure. Hell of a player.”
— Shai on Haliburton’s injury. ❤️✊
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 23, 2025
Of course, this was not how anyone expected this season to end. Haliburton was supported back to the locker room, limping away. After the loss, as the Pacers returned disappointingly, Haliburton was there, standing on his crutches, consoling his teammates for this end. Hugs, tears, and overwhelming emotions – this is how the Pacers’ glorious run to this season ended.
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Shai, however, proved that he was the winner because of his humane spirit, despite everything. He’s made history with this title to become the fourth player to win MVP, Finals MVP, a scoring title, and play for a championship, all in one season. The only players to have done it are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who did it once. Michael Jordan followed suit, doing it four times, and then Shaquille O’Neal was the last one to do so, until now.
