SGA Says 'It's Hard to Even Wrap My Head Around' Thunder Being 4 Games from NBA Title

When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019, the team was entering a rebuilding era following the years of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Things were rough in his first few years as the team missed the playoffs from 2021 to 2023 and posted a pair of seasons with less than 30 wins. Now, just a few years later, Gilgeous-Alexander has the Thunder on the brink of a title.

The first-time MVP still can't even believe they've come this far.

"It's hard to even wrap my head around to know that, like, we're four games away from achieving the ultimate dream as a kid," Gilgeous-Alexander told ESPN's Malika Andrews. "It's so crazy to, like, be so close but also, like, winning four games at this stage is very hard and is a far ways away. So, just to know, like, you're close but still a little bit far, it's a little bit tricky. It throws you off, but it's been super fun."

Behind Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP season, Oklahoma City won a franchise-best 68 games to secure the top seed in the West. The Thunder cruised by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round before downing the Nikola Jokić-led Denver Nuggets in seven games.

OKC made light work of the Minnesota Timberwolves, winning the Western Conference Finals in five games, and the Thunder now have a matchup with the Indiana Pacers in the Finals.

The Thunder have just one title in franchise history, which came in 1979 when they were still in Seattle. Gilgeous-Alexander now has the chance to deliver Oklahoma City its first championship ever, but it won't be easy.

While the Pacers weren't the obvious contender to come out of the East, they've been one of the best teams in the league over the past few months, especially in the playoffs.

But the Thunder have all the makings of a championship team, and Gilgeous-Alexander will begin his quest for his first title on Thursday.