It’s not just a breakout—it’s a storm.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, affectionately known across the league as SGA, has exploded onto the NBA Finals stage with a statement no one can ignore. Through the first two games of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, SGA has poured in 72 points, averaging a jaw-dropping 36.0 points per game, while adding a fierce defensive presence with 3.5 steals per game. In doing so, he has etched his name into the history books for the most points ever scored through a player’s first two Finals games.
And the Thunder are riding that lightning all the way to a 2–0 series lead.
For fans who’ve watched Gilgeous-Alexander evolve over the past few seasons—from rising star to first-time All-Star, then MVP candidate—this moment feels like the natural next step. But even those familiar with his game are stunned by the composure, dominance, and control he’s shown on the league’s biggest stage. This isn’t just a strong start—this is a coronation.
Making History in Style
Let’s put that 72-point outburst into perspective. The previous record for most points across a player’s first two Finals games was held by Allen Iverson, who scored 71 back in 2001. LeBron James? 52. Kobe Bryant? 53. Even Michael Jordan scored 63 across his first two Finals games in 1991. SGA has already passed them all, and he’s done it with signature efficiency and poise.
He’s shooting over 54% from the field, slicing through Indiana’s defensive schemes with surgical precision. Floaters, mid-range pull-ups, downhill drives, and cold-blooded three-pointers—SGA has been unguardable. And he’s doing it while defending at an elite level, often tasked with shadowing Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton or disrupting passing lanes to force critical turnovers.
“He’s in complete control of the game,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said after Game 2. “What he’s doing right now isn’t just scoring—it’s leadership, it’s timing, it’s pressure defense. He’s the engine and the anchor.”
A Long Time Coming
It’s easy to forget how far Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder have come. Just three years ago, Oklahoma City was deep in a rebuild, stockpiling draft picks and losing games with purpose. SGA was already talented, but many questioned whether he could be the guy on a championship-caliber team.
Fast forward to today, and those doubts have evaporated.
At just 26 years old, SGA is not only one of the league’s most dynamic scorers but one of its most complete guards. His ability to control pace, find angles, and defend across multiple positions makes him the centerpiece of the Thunder’s rapid resurgence. Alongside rising stars like Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, and backed by a deep and versatile bench, the Thunder have become the story of the season—and SGA is its headline.
Defense Wins (and Starts) Championships
What makes SGA’s Finals performance so electrifying isn’t just the scoring. It’s the 3.5 steals per game, the relentless pressure on the ball, and the way he disrupts Indiana’s flow. Every time the Pacers try to get comfortable, SGA gets in the way—literally and figuratively.
His hands are quick, his instincts sharper than ever, and he’s turning defense into offense at a blistering rate. Steals leading to transition buckets. Tips and deflections that throw the Pacers’ rhythm off-balance. It’s not flashy, but it’s devastatingly effective.
“He’s not just trying to outscore you,” said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. “He’s trying to break your spirit.”
Game 3: The Moment of Truth for Indiana
With the series shifting to Indiana tonight for Game 3, the pressure is now squarely on the Pacers to respond. Haliburton and company will need to dig deep—not just tactically, but emotionally—to slow down the runaway train that is SGA and the Thunder.
For Indiana, the formula must start with limiting transition plays, closing down driving lanes, and forcing the ball out of SGA’s hands. But that’s easier said than done. The Thunder’s offensive structure flows seamlessly around him, and with capable shooters and rim protection on the other end, Oklahoma City looks as complete as any team in recent memory.
But this is the NBA Finals, and momentum can swing quickly. The Pacers have their backs against the wall, and Game 3 at home is their opportunity to reset the tone of the series.
Tip-off is at 8:30 PM ET on ABC, and all eyes will be on whether SGA can sustain this torrid pace—or even raise it higher.
The Thunder Are Here—And So Is Their Star
For years, Oklahoma City was seen as a team of the future. No longer. The future is now. SGA has become the face of the Finals, the centerpiece of a young, hungry team, and a leader embracing the moment. In an era full of flashy highlights and viral moments, Gilgeous-Alexander’s game speaks volumes in a quiet storm—smooth, calculated, unstoppable.
If he keeps this up, the Thunder won’t just win a title—they’ll do it while watching their young star ascend to superstardom in real time.
Lightning has struck. And Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is holding the storm in his hands.
