Is there any end to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s record-breaking season? To the Oklahoma City Thunder’s delight, likely not anytime soon. The Thunder made the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012, and Gilgeous-Alexander would hope to do something Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook failed to do – win the franchise’s first NBA title.
The Thunder will meet Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers in the Finals, as both teams performed remarkably well in the playoffs. As for Gilgeous-Alexander, no day passes without a social media post mentioning how he broke another NBA record.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Joins Curry and Other NBA Legends
With Nikola Jokić averaging a triple-double season, most fans believed he would win his fourth MVP. Ultimately, the voting favored Gilgeous-Alexander, who joined Stephen Curry in creating another milestone.
After winning his first MVP award this season, Gilgeous-Alexander became the eighth player to win the grand prize and make his first NBA Finals in the same season. Often, you see players winning the MVP and getting knocked out in the early rounds. Not Gilgeous-Alexander, who wants more and aims to conquer the Pacers.
Win first #KiaMVP ✅
Make first NBA Finals ✅Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the 8th player in NBA history to achieve both for the first time in the same season!
The #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV between the Thunder and Pacers begin Thursday, June 5 with Game 1 at 8:30pm/et on… pic.twitter.com/N7KLIhg7KP
— NBA (@NBA) June 1, 2025
He joined Curry, who won the MVP in 2015 after a spectacular season in which he averaged 23.8 points and boasted a 3P% of 44.3 in 8.1 attempts. He went on to win his first of four NBA titles by averaging 28.3 points in the Finals. It’s safe to say Gilgeous-Alexander would love to be in Curry’s footsteps and create his legacy among the NBA elites.
Like Curry, other players on the list deserve every single bit of praise. The first player to complete the feat was Bob Cousy in 1957, winning his first MVP and NBA championship the same year. Then came Willis Reed in 1970. The New York Knicks legend won the MVP and the NBA Finals MVP after a spectacular season, averaging 21.7 points and 13.9 rebounds, culminating in an NBA championship.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did the same in 1971 with the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 31.7 points and 16.0 rebounds when he was just 23. He won his first NBA title in his sophomore season, proving why he’s one of the greatest players in the NBA, if not the greatest.
Like every sport, some individuals weren’t that lucky to get past the finishing line and win the championship.
Unlucky NBA MVPs Who Failed at the Last Hurdle
In 1993, Charles Barkley thrilled the crowd with his stupendous display of talent on the court. He won his first MVP in 1993 in his ninth season but lost to Michael Jordan and the rampaging Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals. Jordan keeps Barkley in his highest regard, as most fans believe he is the greatest player ever to win a title.
Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz was another player who fell prey to Jordan. The Mailman won his first MVP in 1997 and had a marvelous season. However, Jordan stepped in to smash the Jazz away, not giving Malone a moment’s peace.
Allen Iverson won his first MVP in 2001, averaging 31.1 points and 2.5 steals, and met the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals but failed to come home with a victory. Becoming the league’s MVP, Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers took the lead in the series, but the Lakers rallied back, winning four games in a row.
Well, Gilgeous-Alexander sure hopes not to be included in this list and would prefer to win an NBA title in his career. We’ll see how that pans out.
