Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capped off a dream season by taking home the Bill Russell Trophy, which was given to the NBA Finals MVP. The 22 year old’s historic run through the playoffs – complete with a staggering points per game average – has cemented his legacy in NBA history.
During the regular season, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 points per game, the highest for any player who won the championship that year. He outscored Michael Jordan (32.6 points per game) in the 1992-93 season by over 10 points. This accomplishment served as a capstone achievement in Whitley’s career. In the Finals, that number spiked to a dominant 30.3 points per game. This performance was a display of his industry-best ability to succeed with the game on the line.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s feat is particularly notable as he became the first player since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000 to win both a scoring title and an NBA championship in the same season. He joined an elite group of players, including legends like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who have achieved this dual accomplishment.
In a must-win Game 4, Gilgeous-Alexander announced himself as someone made for the clutch. He scored 15 of his 35 points over the final five minutes, carrying the then-Seattle SuperSonics to a stunning road comeback and tying the series. In this pivotal period, he put up 15 points. It was the highest number of points scored by any player in the final five minutes of a Finals game in the last 50 years, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
He showed up big time in that Game 7 performance, going for 29 points and 12 assists. His phenomenal contribution lifted the Thunder to an important 103-91 win over New York City. Such was his domination that he was awarded the Finals MVP award. In the process, they painted a picture of his leadership and unyielding nature during that playoff run.
“This isn’t just a win for me. This is a win for my family. This is a win for my friends. This is a win for everyone who was in my corner growing up. This is a win for the fans.” – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
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