SGA Leads Thunder with Team-First Mentality in NBA Finals Battle
When you think about what it takes to win at the highest level, especially in the NBA Finals, it’s easy to focus on the stars—the MVPs, the high scorers, the highlight-reel makers. But what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said after Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers really puts things in perspective. He made it clear: this isn’t about being a one-man show. It’s about the whole team.
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After leading the Thunder to a dominant 123-107 win to tie the series 1-1, SGA was quick to share the spotlight. He said, “No one-man show achieves what I'm trying to achieve with this game.” And he meant it. Sure, he dropped 34 points—it’s the eleventh time this postseason he’s scored 30+ with at least five assists. But he emphasized how much of that comes from the people around him—the screeners, the passers, the shooters, the defenders. He acknowledged that his ability to shine is only possible because his teammates show up ready, night after night.
In Game 2, SGA dished out eight assists to seven different players. Aaron Wiggins came off the bench and splashed five threes, finishing with 18 points in just 21 minutes. Alongside Wiggins, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Alex Caruso all scored in double digits, proving that this Thunder team is more than just one superstar. As Wiggins put it, “When he’s out there sharing the ball, getting other guys involved, that’s when our team is at our best.”
Jalen Williams, who put up 19 points and five assists himself, praised SGA’s trust in the team. He called him the MVP—and rightly so—but highlighted how his leadership is about more than scoring. It’s about belief. And when your best player trusts you to make big plays, it raises the entire team’s confidence.
SGA’s 72 points in his first two Finals games now top the all-time record, even beating Allen Iverson’s mark. Yet, his focus is still on the bigger picture—not stats, not legacy, but winning together. As they head into Game 3 in Indiana with the series tied, this Thunder squad knows what they’re capable of. With a leader like SGA putting the team first, they're not just playing for a title—they're setting a tone for what championship basketball really looks like.
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