Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paid an emotional tribute to his wife after winning the MVP award.
The Oklahoma City Thunder guard, who has had a stellar 2024-25 season, edged out Nikola Jokic to win the NBA‘s top individual prize.
SGA has been named the NBA’s MVP ahead of rival JokicGettyGilgeous-Alexander accepted the honor at a press conference in Oklahoma City less than 24 hours after he led his team to a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their Western Conference Finals series.
He broke down in tears during his MVP speech, as he thanked his partner, who he described as ‘the one and only’ Hailey Summers.
“Sorry I’m so dramatic,” SGA began, after applause from the audience.
“Hailey Summers — thank you for everything you are for me, for our son Ares.
“You were the first person to show me what love really meant, what sacrifice really meant. And I can’t wait to spend the rest of this journey called life with you. So thank you for everything.
“I wouldn’t be the man I am, I wouldn’t be the player I am, I wouldn’t be the father I am, without you.”
While Gilgeous-Alexander is having the season of his life, averaging 32.7 points per game en-route to his first scoring title and leading the Thunder to a league-high 68 wins, it’s clear he’s not celebrating alone.
As well as thanking his wife in an emotional press conference, he also splashed out on lavish gifts for the teammates he shares the court with.
Upon being officially being named MVP, SGA gifted each of his Thunder squad a Rolex.
In a viral clip, the players are seen flashing their wrists in unison, proudly showing off their new watches, worth a reported $16,999 each.
SGA emotionally thanked his wife after winning the MVP awardNBA He broke down in tears as he spoke during his press conference in Oklahoma CityNBA SGA also splashed out on Rolex watches for his OKC teammates after winning MVPInstagram: Jaylin WilliamsThe 26-year-old later explained why he chose to gift each of his teammates an expensive new timepiece.
He revealed: “So the watches… I think it was last season.
“We were just on the bus being silly like we always are, and I can’t remember who it was — actually, of course it was J-Will (Jaylin Williams).
“He was like, ‘Two, what are you gonna get us when you win MVP?’ And it’s a crazy question to ask, but I don’t know what brought it up — watches were in the conversation.
“A lot of guys on the team like watches. Who doesn’t like watches?
“And then I said yes — which was silly on my part.
SGA is this season’s MVP and could finish as an NBA championGetty“But as I got closer to achieving the goal, I was like, ‘Wait a second, I actually have to do what I said I was going to do.’ So I made it happen.”
The NBA announced Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP win on Wednesday night, a few days after the Thunder defeated Jokic’s Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Last season, SGA finished as the runner-up to his rival in MVP voting, when Jokic won his third award in four seasons.
But this season belongs to the Thunder guard, even amid allegations of ‘foul-baiting’ in the playoffs.
Gilgeous-Alexander received 71 of the 100 first-place votes in balloting, with Jokic getting the other 29 and finishing as the runner-up.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been floated as part of a bold Cooper Flagg trade, came third.
SGA averaged his 32.7 points per game on 51.9% shooting from the floor. He added an average of 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks to that impressive scoring output.
The only other player in NBA history to average at least 30 points on 50% shooting, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1 block per game in a season is Michael Jordan, who did it in 1987-88 and 1990-91.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP season is matched only by the great Michael JordanGettyJokic, meanwhile, had arguably the best season of his career, averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists and 1.8 steals.
But winning is what made a decisive difference between the pair.
SGA impacted winning more than anyone else this season, as OKC comfortably captured the top seed in the West.
They still have the chance to win the NBA championship next month, and with the MVP in their ranks, confidence will be high.
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