SGA named MVP, but it's 'a win for everyone'

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander enactment the finishing touches connected 1 of the astir awesome idiosyncratic seasons successful NBA past by hoisting the Bill Russell Trophy awarded to the Finals MVP.

"This isn't conscionable a triumph for me," Gilgeous-Alexander said aft accepting the award. "This is simply a triumph for my family. This is simply a triumph for my friends. This is simply a triumph for everyone who was successful my country increasing up. This is simply a triumph for the fans."

Gilgeous-Alexander joined an exclusive database of players to triumph the MVP and Finals MVP successful the aforesaid season. The lone different players to execute that dual feat are Michael Jordan (four times), LeBron James (twice), Larry Bird (twice), Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Magic Johnson, Moses Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Willis Reed.

The astir memorable Finals show by Gilgeous-Alexander occurred during the Thunder's series-tying roadworthy comeback triumph successful Game 4. He scored 15 of his 35 points successful the last 5 minutes, the astir by immoderate subordinate successful the 5 minutes of a Finals crippled successful astatine slightest 50 years.

Gilgeous-Alexander capped the bid with 29 points and 12 assists successful Oklahoma City's 103-91 Game 7 win.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged 32.7 points per crippled during the regular play and 30.3 successful the Finals, besides became the archetypal subordinate to triumph a scoring rubric and NBA title successful the aforesaid play since O'Neal successful 2000. The lone different players to person done that are Jordan (six times), Abdul-Jabbar, George Mikan (twice) and Joe Fulks.

Gilgeous-Alexander's regular-season scoring mean is the highest ever by a subordinate who won the rubric that campaign, topping Jordan successful 1992-93 by one-tenth of a point, according to ESPN Research.