Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Courtside Double-Take Turns Into Heartwarming Reunion With Chris Paul
During the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 118-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—fresh off being named the 2024–25 NBA MVP—had an unexpected moment of confusion. While playing in a high-stakes matchup, he noticed his wife seated beside another man, which momentarily pulled his attention from the game. The rare double-take came from someone who typically remains locked in during competition.
A Lighthearted Courtside Surprise Shows the Strong Bond Between Former NBA Teammates
The situation turned out to be a lighthearted one. The man sitting next to Gilgeous-Alexander’s wife was none other than Chris Paul, his friend and former teammate. Gilgeous-Alexander admitted after the game that the sight briefly made him tense until he recognized Paul. He laughed about it in the postgame interview, saying once he realized who it was, everything was “cool.” The moment revealed a human side to the MVP, highlighting how even top athletes can be caught off guard by personal surprises.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Courtside Double-Take Turns Into Heartwarming Reunion With Chris Paul
Chris Paul was present not just as a spectator but as a supporter of Gilgeous-Alexander’s success. Before the game, Paul appeared on ESPN’s pregame show and offered heartfelt praise, calling his former teammate “selfless” and lauding his growth as a player. The veteran All-Star’s attendance at the game served as a visible endorsement of Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise and was a reminder of the strong bonds formed between players over the years.
Chris Paul’s Lasting Influence as a Mentor Brother and Lifelong Source of Guidance
After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander reflected on his relationship with Paul, describing it as one that has greatly influenced his career and personal life. He called Paul not just a mentor but a big brother and a trusted friend. Their connection has extended far beyond the court, with Paul offering advice on everything from basketball to business and family matters. Gilgeous-Alexander made it clear that Paul’s presence in his life has been invaluable.
Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized that Paul was the first person close to him who had achieved the kind of success he aspired to reach. Paul’s example and wisdom have helped him deal with the many challenges that come with being a professional athlete. Whether it’s caring for his body, managing his responsibilities, or maintaining relationships, Paul’s guidance has played a crucial role. Their friendship represents the importance of genuine support in a competitive world, showing how mentorship can leave a lasting legacy.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wins MVP as Thunder’s Historic Season Signals Shift in NBA Power
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has officially been named the 2025 NBA Most Valuable Player, marking a major milestone in his career. After leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to an impressive league-best 68 wins and clinching his first scoring title, the 26-year-old guard received 71 out of 100 first-place votes.
His MVP win was announced just days after helping the Thunder defeat reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in a dramatic Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. The Thunder celebrated the achievement with a press event, where Gilgeous-Alexander, flanked by teammates sporting Rolex watches he had gifted them, expressed heartfelt gratitude to his family and team.
Historic Stats and Elite Company Cement Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP Legacy in Oklahoma City
Gilgeous-Alexander had a statistically dominant season, averaging 32.7 points per game on 51.9% shooting, along with 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. These all-around numbers put him in elite company, matching feats only accomplished by Michael Jordan during his MVP seasons in the late 1980s and early ’90s.
His performance helped Oklahoma City set a new NBA record with a +12.9 point differential, further validating his MVP claim. Despite Jokic having one of his best statistical years—nearly averaging a triple-double—Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic campaign and team success tipped the scales in his favor.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wins MVP as Thunder’s Historic Season Signals Shift in NBA Power
This MVP win places Gilgeous-Alexander alongside Oklahoma City legends Kevin Durant (2014) and Russell Westbrook (2017) as the third player in franchise history to earn the honor. He also became only the 10th player in NBA history to lead the league in scoring for a team that won at least 60 games—a feat that almost always results in an MVP award.
His consistent elite play over the last three seasons, averaging 30+ points on over 50% shooting, has already drawn comparisons to legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Wilt Chamberlain, and Jordan—all of whom have multiple MVPs.
Two-Way Excellence and Leadership Propel Gilgeous-Alexander to MVP and Historic Contract
While known for his offensive prowess, Gilgeous-Alexander also played a crucial role in Oklahoma City’s top-ranked defense. He recorded 208 combined steals and blocks (known as “stocks”), ranking third in the league. His leadership and confidence were repeatedly highlighted by teammates like Kenrich Williams, who praised how Gilgeous-Alexander’s belief in himself inspired the entire team. His defensive impact, combined with his scoring efficiency, helped round out a profile rarely seen in MVP history.
Having already earned All-NBA First Team honors in each of the past two seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander is now eligible for a record-setting four-year, $294 million supermax extension—the highest annual salary in league history. With his recent MVP award and continued rise, he is positioning himself as one of the central figures in the NBA’s future.
The final MVP voting saw Jokic finish second, followed by Giannis Antetokounmpo in third and Jayson Tatum in fourth. Meanwhile, veterans like LeBron James continued to garner recognition, showing how the league is shifting as new stars emerge. Gilgeous-Alexander’s victory signals a significant change in the NBA’s balance of power, placing Oklahoma City at the forefront.
Stephen Curry bounced back from a quiet first half with just four points by hitting five 3-pointers in the second half. The Golden State Warriors came from behind to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-109 on Wednesday night in San Francisco, despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 52-point effort.
Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors with 27 points, while Curry finished with 21 points. This was the second time this season that the Warriors beat the top team in the Western Conference. Kevon Looney contributed 18 points off the bench, tying his career high, as Golden State secured its third win in four games.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 52 points, marking his second career 50-point game. He had 54 points in a win over Utah on January 22. Gilgeous-Alexander outscored the Warriors in the first quarter with 21 points, and finished the game 16-for-29 from the field and 18-for-21 at the free-throw line.
Raptors 106, Wizards 82
Scottie Barnes scored 24 points as Toronto dominated Washington for its fifth straight win. Barnes made 10 of 19 shots and surpassed 20 points for the fourth game in a row. Jakob Poeltl added 12 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Kyle Kuzma had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Wizards, who lost their 15th game in a row, just one short of their longest losing streak this season.
Celtics 122, Bulls 100
Kristaps Porzingis scored a season-high 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Boston to a comfortable win over Chicago. Porzingis made 10 of 18 field goals, including 8 of 14 from beyond the arc, tying his career-high in 3-pointers. Jaylen Brown contributed 28 points, six rebounds, and six assists, and Derrick White added 22 points.
Chicago played without its leading scorer, Zach LaVine, and Coby White returned from an ankle injury to score 16 points in 31 minutes.
Knicks 122, Nuggets 112
Jalen Brunson posted 30 points and 15 assists to lead New York to a win over Denver. Brunson helped spark a key third-quarter run with 15 points. The Knicks have now won five straight after a 3-6 slump. Karl-Anthony Towns added 14 points and 10 rebounds, and OG Anunoby scored 23 points.
Jamal Murray had 33 points for the Nuggets, who lost their third straight game. Nikola Jokic added 17 points, six rebounds, and six assists but was limited to 33 minutes due to foul trouble.
Cavaliers 126, Heat 106
Donovan Mitchell scored 34 points and Evan Mobley had 22 points and 15 rebounds to lead Cleveland to a wire-to-wire victory over Miami. Ty Jerome added 20 points and Georges Niang contributed 15 off the bench for the Cavaliers, who shot 54% from the field and dominated in the paint, 68-38.
Terry Rozier scored 22 points off the bench for the Heat, while Tyler Herro added 22 points and Bam Adebayo contributed 21 points and nine rebounds. Miami has lost six of its last nine games.
Mavericks 137, Pelicans 136
P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford posted double-doubles, and four other Dallas players scored in double figures as the Mavericks defeated New Orleans. Washington finished with 25 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists, while Gafford had 22 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks. Kyrie Irving had 25 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while Klay Thompson added 20 points.
Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers
Trey Murphy III scored 32 points, Zion Williamson had 29 points and seven assists, Dejounte Murray scored 27 points, and CJ McCollum added 23 points and eight assists for New Orleans, which lost its fourth straight game.
Timberwolves 121, Suns 113
Minnesota rode a strong fourth-quarter performance to defeat Phoenix in a game with many technical fouls. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 23 points off the bench, and Anthony Edwards led the team with 33 points. Julius Randle scored 28 points and grabbed seven rebounds to match Edwards. Randle also had three steals and six assists.
Devin Booker scored 28 points and added eight assists for Phoenix. Bradley Beal had 17 points and six assists, and Grayson Allen contributed 11 points and seven rebounds.
76ers 117, Kings 104
Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points and handed out eight assists to lead Philadelphia to its fourth straight win against Sacramento. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 15 points and four steals for the 76ers, who played without Joel Embiid (knee) and Paul George (finger).
Sacramento lost its third game in four despite all five starters scoring in double figures. Malik Monk scored 21 points and recorded eight assists, while Domantas Sabonis posted his third consecutive triple-double with 13 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Nets 104, Hornets 83
Keon Johnson scored 18 points to help Brooklyn end a seven-game losing streak with a win over Charlotte. Jalen Wilson added 15 points, and Nic Claxton had 12 points, eight rebounds, and six blocked shots.
Miles Bridges led Charlotte with 23 points and 13 rebounds. The Hornets, who have lost four of their last five games, were without LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Mark Williams (foot).
Clippers 128, Spurs 116
Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 27 points, and Ivica Zubac recorded 21 points and 22 rebounds as Los Angeles pulled away late to beat San Antonio. Norman Powell also scored 27 points, and James Harden finished with 21 points and 11 assists.
Victor Wembanyama scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Spurs, who have lost five of their last six games.
Pacers 133, Pistons 119
Pascal Siakam scored a season-high 37 points, and Tyrese Haliburton added 30 points to help Indiana beat Detroit in a hard-fought game. The Pacers fought off a strong challenge from the Pistons, who had six technical fouls, including one for Isaiah Stewart, who was ejected for a flagrant foul on Thomas Bryant in the second quarter.
Indiana has an NBA-best 10-2 record in 2025, with all 10 wins coming by double figures. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 32 points, while Myles Turner had 24 points for the Pacers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes the ball forward in the 1st half
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had another impressive game, scoring 40 points in a performance that showed why he’s a contender for the MVP award this season. However, what made him most excited wasn’t just his own performance, but how the whole Oklahoma City Thunder team played in their big win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, which was broadcast nationally.
“There’s obviously myself as the leading scorer of the team. I’m going to get most of the praise. But the world is seeing all of the — we call them cockroaches in our locker room. Cockroaches and hyenas,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
“Those are the guys who do the little work, the guys that don’t get the most praise. They don’t average 30, but their part into our winning and our season is just as big, and I’m glad the world gets to see that.”
Gilgeous-Alexander, who is 6-foot-6, finished with 40 points and eight assists in just three quarters as the Thunder, who lead the Western Conference, defeated the Cavaliers, who are leading the Eastern Conference, 134-114. He made 17 of his 26 shots, often using his dribbling skills to break down Cleveland’s defense, getting to the basket or hitting mid-range jumpers.
Last season, Gilgeous-Alexander was the runner-up for the NBA MVP award. This year, he’s averaging 31.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists for a Thunder team that shares the league’s best record at 34-6 with the Cavaliers. He has already earned the Western Conference Player of the Month award twice this season.
When asked if Gilgeous-Alexander was trying to make a statement on national TV, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault downplayed it.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looks to shoot over Max Strus in the 1st half
“You know, he just looked the same,” Daigneault said. “That’s why he’s so good. It’s like that pretty much every night. So he was on it, and I thought he maintained a pretty good floor game throughout it.”
Fans have certainly taken notice. In the third round of All-Star fan voting, the Canadian guard leads Western Conference guards, ahead of stars like Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Edwards.
“Personally, it feels good,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “All the hard work’s paying off. Nothing’s guaranteed in life, so you take everything that goes your way as a blessing. Don’t take it for granted. That’s what I try to do. … Just trying not to get too wrapped up into it and keep plugging away at what your job is every night. That’s what I’ll continue to do.”
While Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the Thunder, Jalen Williams has been his most reliable teammate. Williams is averaging 20.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in his third season. Although Williams hasn’t been named an All-Star yet, Gilgeous-Alexander believes he deserves to be one this year.
“You can start with his points. He obviously averages 20 and very efficient,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “He carries the load when I’m out of the game, makes plays for him and the guys around him.”
Gilgeous-Alexander also praised Williams’ defense. Despite Williams saying he’s 6-6, Gilgeous-Alexander joked that he thinks Williams is actually shorter.
“At 6-4, he’s able to guard all five positions on the basketball court,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, as Williams tried to argue. “Like tonight, he guarded a 7-footer. I could never. And a lot of guys our size could never.
Those types of things directly impact winning, and we clearly are winning basketball games. Nobody has his print on us winning basketball games more than Jalen Williams, and that’s why he deserves to be an All-Star.”
Through these contributions, both Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams are helping Oklahoma City thrive as one of the best teams in the NBA.
