SGA Calls Jalen Williams 'Once-in-a-Lifetime Player' After Thunder Win 2025 NBA Finals

One of the NBA's best young duos won its first NBA championship on Sunday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams led the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Indiana Pacers to win Game 7 and clinch the title, marking the first of what could be many more to come.

Gilgeous-Alexander took home Finals MVP, but let it be known that the trophy belongs to Williams as well.

"Jalen Williams is a once-in-a-lifetime player," he said. "Without him, without his performances, without his big-time moments, without his big-time shot making, defending, everything he brings to this team, we don't win this championship. This is just as much my MVP as it is his and we'll share this one for a very long time."

Gilgeous-Alexander had one of the most memorable playoff runs in recent memory, posting 30 points, 6.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. He brought his best to the Finals, averaging 30.3 points per game. He capped off the series with 29 points, 12 assists and just one turnover.

Williams averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.4 steals throughout the postseason and put up 23.6 points in the Finals. His most memorable game came in Game 5 against the Pacers when he dropped 40 points to lead the Thunder to a win.

Together, Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams posted 377 points combined in the Finals, the second most in NBA history, only behind LeBron James and Kyrie Irving's 398 in 2016.

What makes their performances even more impressive is the fact that they're still young and new to NBA stardom. Gilgeous-Alexander is just 26 while Williams, in his third season, is only 24.

The Thunder roster as a whole has an average age of less than 26 years old, meaning this year's championship could be the start of a dynasty. Of course, injuries, trades, free agency and other factors could shake up the roster in the coming years, but the team is in great hands with Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams leading the way.