On Thursday night in Oklahoma City, after leading the Thunder to a Game 5 victory over Minnesota, 26-year-old Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named Western Conference Finals MVP. It’s his second MVP honor of the year, following his league regular-season MVP award.

Over the five-game series, Shai averaged 31.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.2 rebounds. Minnesota had no answer for him — particularly at the free-throw line, where he averaged nearly 10 attempts per game. He was composed, electric, and in control every time the ball touched his hands.

“This is a step in the right direction, but we’ve got more work to do,” he said after the game. “So buckle up and get ready.”

Just a few years ago, this team was deep in rebuild mode, having not reached the Conference Finals since 2012. Now, they’re headed to the NBA Finals — led by a star who has turned promise into dominance. During the regular season, Shai led OKC to a league-best 68 wins, averaging 32.7 points on 51.9% shooting.

He’s now a three-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA player, and the centerpiece of a young, hungry team that plays with purpose and poise. If he caps off this run with a championship and a third MVP trophy, the conversation changes — not just about his greatness, but about his place among the best to ever wear a Thunder jersey.

If the Thunder go all the way, Shai could become the first player in NBA history to win the regular-season MVP, Conference Finals MVP, and Finals MVP in the same year.

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