If you’ve been scrolling through social media or watching the sports cycle lately, you’ve probably heard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's name mentioned in the same breath as "dynasty." It’s wild. Honestly, just a few years ago, people were calling the Oklahoma City Thunder a "black eye" of the league for how much they were losing. Now? They’re the team everyone is chasing.
But let's get right to the point. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has one NBA championship ring. He won it during the 2024–25 season. It wasn’t just a "right place, right time" situation either. Shai didn't just win; he dominated. He led the Thunder to their first title since they moved from Seattle to OKC back in 2008. If you want to get technical, he’s basically a walking trophy case right now.
The 2025 Championship Run: A Historic Trifecta
Most players spend their whole lives trying to win one ring. Shai decided to do it while winning everything else too.
In the 2024–25 season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pulled off something only three other legends have ever done: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O’Neal. He won the Scoring Title, the NBA MVP (the Michael Jordan Trophy), and the NBA Finals MVP all in the same season. That’s insane.
Think about the pressure. The Thunder entered the 2025 Finals as heavy favorites against the Indiana Pacers. But as anyone who watched that series knows, it wasn't a cakewalk. The Pacers were gritty. They forced a Game 7. It was the first time we saw an NBA Finals go the full seven games since 2016. In that deciding game, Shai put up 29 points and 12 assists, leading OKC to a 103-91 victory.
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Basically, he didn't just earn a ring; he etched his name into the history books as the 11th Canadian to ever win an NBA title.
Why his first ring felt different
Most championships have a "superteam" vibe. This one felt homegrown.
Shai was the engine. He averaged 32.7 points per game during the regular season. But it was his poise in the playoffs that really sold it. Even when Tyrese Haliburton was hitting game-winners for Indy earlier in the series, Shai never looked rattled. He’s got that "6-foot-6 Tim Duncan" energy—unpredictable, efficient, and honestly, a bit scary for opposing coaches.
What Most People Get Wrong About SGA's Career
Kinda funny, but there’s actually a lot of confusion about Shai’s hardware. If you look at his resume, you’ll see "MVP" and "Champion" everywhere, but some folks forget he also has a Bronze Medal from the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup with Team Canada.
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While that’s not an NBA "ring," it was the first sign that this guy was ready to lead a team to the mountaintop.
Does he have a ring from the Clippers?
Nope. A lot of casual fans remember him playing for the Los Angeles Clippers in his rookie year. He was great there—made the All-Rookie Second Team—but they didn't win it all. He was traded to OKC in the blockbuster Paul George deal in 2019. At the time, everyone thought the Clippers won that trade. Looking back? Man, the Thunder got a franchise-altering star and a mountain of picks.
How Many Rings Could He Have Soon?
As of right now, we are midway through the 2025–26 season, and honestly, Shai is looking for ring number two.
The Thunder are currently sitting at a league-best record (around 34-7 as of mid-January 2026). They’re on pace to match or even beat last year’s 68-win season. Shai himself isn't slowing down. He’s currently on a massive streak of consecutive 20-point games—over 110 games and counting.
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There is a very real chance he wins back-to-back MVPs and back-to-back rings. If he does that, we aren't just talking about a great player anymore. We're talking about a Top 20 all-time trajectory. He’s only 27.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're following Shai’s career, here’s what you should be keeping an eye on for the rest of 2026:
- The 65-Game Rule: To win another MVP, Shai has to stay healthy. With the NBA’s eligibility rules, he needs to play enough games. So far, he’s been remarkably durable.
- The Spurs Rivalry: Keep an eye on the OKC vs. San Antonio matchups. Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs are the biggest threat to the Thunder's repeat in the West.
- Memorabilia Value: Honestly, if you have a Shai rookie card or a 2025 "First Title" jersey, hold onto it. The value of players with the MVP/FMVP/Scoring Title trifecta usually goes through the roof.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has one ring today, but given the way he’s playing, that number is going to feel very outdated, very soon. He’s the undisputed face of the league right now.
The take-away is simple: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander officially has 1 NBA championship ring (2025), but his pursuit of a second is the biggest story in basketball right now. Keep your eyes on the 2026 playoffs—it's gonna be a movie.