Shai Gilgeous-Alexander details a ‘fun’ trip to Vegas between NBA games

OKLAHOMA CITY — Before leading his team to an overtime thriller victory against the Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander accepted the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award in Las Vegas. Gilgeous-Alexander forced overtime in the fourth quarter at the end of regulation in a 129-125 victory against the Utah Jazz.

Before Wednesday’s game, Gilgeous-Alexander accepted SI’s 2025. Sportsman of the Year Awardcapping off a historic 2025 in which SGA won its first MVP award, MVP title and NBA title, as the Finals MVP leading the Thunder to their first championship in franchise history.

“It was good — it was fun,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It was a pretty quick trip. I was in and out, but it was great. It was fun to be in a room with so many influential, great, inspiring people. I really enjoyed Michael Phelps’ speech. It was impressive. It was fun. It was an honor, obviously. That award is not taken lightly, and I don’t usually travel like that between games, but it was definitely worth it.”

Gilgeous-Alexander demonstrated his dominance as the league’s reigning MVP, who is once again in the running for this year’s honor, with a 46-point masterpiece against the Jazz. He saved the Thunder from their third straight loss by sending the game into overtime and finished 14-of-26 shooting, 17-for-19 from the free throw line, with six assists, six rebounds, one block and one steal.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the game-tying shot in the Thunder’s win

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains ready for the moment that not many NBA players are used to being in the game when your team is behind at the end of regulation and the ball is in your hands. With just 3.3 seconds left, Gilgeous-Alexander made a stop at the free throw line to drain the tying shot and send the Thunder game into overtime.

“It’s definitely the work ethic. It’s the mindset as well. I made it tonight. I missed a lot of shots,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I think once an athlete — me in this situation — realizes if you’re going to make it or you’re going to miss, I’m going to have to do whatever it takes tomorrow to get better and get ready for the next game. Whether I make it or miss it seems big. But in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t really change much.

“And I think that mindset, as well as confidence in your game, takes the weight of the moment off your shoulders. And I think the toughest players in the history of the sport understand that and that’s what makes them who they are,” Gilgeous-Alexander concluded.

The Thunder improved their record to 31-7.