If you were watching the NBA back in April 2025, you knew something was different. The atmosphere in Oklahoma City wasn't just loud; it felt heavy with expectation. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—or just SGA to basically everyone at this point—didn't just show up. He broke the league.
Honestly, looking back at the sga playoff stats 2025, it’s kind of wild how much he dominated while keeping that weirdly calm, "slow-motion" pace that drives defenders insane. He finished the postseason averaging 30.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. Those aren't just "star" numbers. Those are "first-option-on-a-dynasty" numbers.
The Numbers That Defined the Thunder’s Title
The 2025 run wasn't a fluke. OKC came in with a massive 68-14 regular-season record, the best in franchise history. But the playoffs are where things get real. SGA played 23 games during that championship sprint, and he was the engine for every single one of them.
He didn't just score; he scored efficiently. We’re talking about a guy who led the entire playoffs in total points with 688. To put that in perspective, he was out-pacing guys who have been in the "best in the world" conversation for a decade. His ability to get to the free-throw line was a huge part of the story, too. He averaged 9.2 free-throw attempts per game. Some fans called it "foul baiting," but if you watch the tape, it was just superior footwork. He’s always a step ahead.
The efficiency was the most "SGA" part of the whole thing. Even when defenses like Denver or Minnesota threw everything at him, he stayed remarkably consistent. While his True Shooting percentage dipped a bit early in the second round—dropping to around 52.8% over a five-game stretch—he roared back when it mattered. By the time the Finals hit, he was back to being the most efficient guard in the world.
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A Historic NBA Finals Performance
The series against the Indiana Pacers was supposed to be a sweep. It wasn't. It went seven games, and it was the first Game 7 in the Finals since 2016. SGA didn't blink.
In Game 1, he dropped 38 points. Then he followed it up with 34 in Game 2. That 72-point total across his first two Finals games actually broke a record previously held by Allen Iverson, who had 71 back in 2001. That’s the kind of company he’s keeping now.
SGA ended the series as the NBA Finals MVP, averaging 30 points on the dot throughout the postseason. He became only the fourth player in the history of the sport to win the regular-season MVP, the Finals MVP, and the scoring title in the same year. That is Jordan territory. That is Shaq territory.
Breaking Down the Advanced Metrics
If you’re a stats nerd, the sga playoff stats 2025 offer plenty to chew on. Beyond the raw points, his impact on the floor was staggering. He finished with 3.9 Win Shares for the postseason, which led the entire league.
His usage rate hovered around 33%, yet he only averaged about 2.8 turnovers per game. For someone who has the ball that much, that’s almost impossible. He was also a nightmare on the other end of the floor. People forget he averaged 1.4 steals and nearly a block per game. He’s one of the few superstars who actually exerts energy on defense during a deep playoff run.
The path wasn't easy:
- Swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round (including a record-breaking 51-point win in Game 1).
- Outlasted Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets in a 7-game bloodbath in the Semi-finals.
- Handled the Minnesota Timberwolves in 5 games during the WCF.
- Beat the Pacers in 7 games to secure the title.
Why It Matters for the History Books
Most people will remember the Finals MVP trophy, but the real story is how SGA handled the pressure of being the favorite. The Thunder had 18 more wins than the Pacers entering the Finals. That’s a massive gap—the largest since 1981. Usually, when a team is that much of a favorite, they get complacent.
SGA didn't. Even when Tyrese Haliburton was hitting game-winners or Pascal Siakam was turning back the clock, Shai stayed in his rhythm. He didn't rush. He didn't panic. He just kept getting to his spots in the mid-range and the paint.
How to Analyze SGA's Impact Moving Forward
If you want to understand why these sga playoff stats 2025 are a blueprint for the future of the league, look at his "shot diet." He doesn't rely on the three-pointer as much as modern analytics might suggest. He shot about 35.9% from deep during the playoffs, which is solid, but it’s his 2-point efficiency (over 50%) and his ability to draw contact that makes him unguardable.
For anyone trying to track his progress into the 2026 season, here are the key areas to watch:
- Free Throw Rate: If he stays above 9 attempts a game, OKC is almost unbeatable because it puts the opposing frontcourt in foul trouble early.
- Clutch Scoring: In 2025, his "clutch" shooting percentage was in the top 5% of the league.
- Assist-to-Turnover Ratio: He’s transitioned from a pure scorer to a primary playmaker, and his 5.6 assists per game were vital during the Finals run.
The 2025 season was the year the "Next Gen" finally took over, and Shai was the one holding the flag. He proved that a small-market team could build through the draft, stay patient, and eventually ride a generational talent to the top. It wasn't just about the points; it was about the total control he had over the game of basketball.
Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
Check out the full game-by-game breakdown of Shai's 2025 Finals on the official NBA stats portal to see how his field goal attempts shifted from the perimeter to the paint as the series progressed. You can also compare his 2025 Win Shares against previous MVP/Finals MVP winners like LeBron James (2012) or Steph Curry (2022) to see where his efficiency truly ranks in the all-time hierarchy.