The emotional moment of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Winning the 2025 WCF MVP in front of his son’s eyes

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has just led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the NBA Finals, earning the 2025 Western Conference Finals MVP award after a dominant 4-1 series win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. But amid the confetti and accolades, it wasn’t stats or trophies that were on his mind—it was his infant son, Ares.

Following the Thunder’s 124-94 blowout win in Game 5, Gilgeous-Alexander’s postgame interview turned deeply personal. With his wife and son in attendance, the MVP shared an emotional reflection on fatherhood, admitting that his perspective on life—and basketball—has changed forever.

“He Has No Clue What’s Going On… He’s Just Happy to See Me”

In a moment that captured hearts across the NBA community, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander opened up about what it meant to have his son watch him shine on the league’s biggest stage.

“I think the best thing about that moment is that he has no clue what’s going on and that he’s just happy to see me,” SGA said in his postgame presser. “In life in general, you get caught up in so many things that don’t actually matter… He’s shown me everything that actually matters in life.”

This poignant moment underscores a deeper transformation in Gilgeous-Alexander’s mindset. Once purely driven by competition, he now plays the game grounded in purpose and fueled by family love.

The “Dad Buff”: How Fatherhood Elevated SGA’s Game

Since becoming a father on April 25, 2024, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s game has soared to new heights. Over the 100 games following the birth of his son Ares, SGA has averaged:

• 32.0 points per game

• 5.3 rebounds per game

• 6.5 assists per game

• 51% FG / 37% 3PT / 88% FT

Those are MVP-caliber numbers—and exactly the production he delivered in the 2025 playoffs, culminating in a Western Conference Finals MVP trophy. Some fans and analysts are calling it the “dad buff”—a theory that fatherhood unlocks untapped emotional energy and maturity in athletes.

And in SGA’s case, the results speak for themselves.

Thunder Star Blocks Out the Noise: “He Reminds Me What Actually Matters”

Over the past few years, despite his rising stardom, Gilgeous-Alexander has faced criticism from fans and pundits. Some have labeled him a “free-throw merchant,” suggesting his offensive prowess relies too heavily on foul calls.

But if those critics thought they could rattle him, they were mistaken.

“[My son] reminds me of that every day I wake up, every day he wakes me up. Every day he cries and wakes me in the middle of my sleep. He’s amazing,” said SGA. “He puts everything into perspective for sure.”

This level of emotional maturity has made SGA a pillar of calm and resilience for his young Thunder squad. No matter the pressure or noise, his focus remains on what truly matters: his family, his purpose, and his love for the game.

From MVP to WCF MVP—Now Four Wins From a Championship

The 2025 season has been a historic one for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:

• Named NBA MVP earlier in May

• Led OKC to the best record in the West

• Dominated the Western Conference Finals with 31.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game

• Capped off the series with 34 points in Game 5

And now, with just four wins separating the Thunder from their first NBA title since 1979, SGA has a chance to cap off one of the most complete individual seasons in league history.

If he continues at this pace, Finals MVP may soon be added to his resume.

Thunder’s Surprising Rise Powered by Purpose

At the start of the season, few expected the Thunder to emerge as serious contenders. Their youth, while promising, was seen as a liability in deep playoff runs. But under the leadership of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City has matured ahead of schedule.

With Luguentz Dort anchoring the perimeter defense, Chet Holmgren providing interior length, and Jalen Williams emerging as a dynamic two-way threat, the Thunder’s rise is no fluke. But it is SGA’s MVP-level consistency and emotional leadership that binds it all together.

As Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault noted earlier in the series, “Shai doesn’t just lead by scoring—he leads by showing what matters. That’s contagious.”

NBA Finals Await: Knicks or Pacers?

The Thunder now await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals, where the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers continue their fierce battle.

Either matchup promises compelling narratives:

• A battle with the Knicks would pit the Thunder against a team hungry to end a 50+ year championship drought.

• A matchup with the Pacers would feature Canadian-on-Canadian showdowns, with SGA facing Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard.

Regardless of opponent, one thing is clear: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the most important player in the series.

Canada’s Crown Jewel Leads with Heart and Fire

Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, SGA has become not only the face of the Thunder, but the leading ambassador of Canadian basketball. His rise has mirrored the broader explosion of Canadian talent in the NBA, with stars like Jamal Murray, RJ Barrett, and Andrew Wiggins continuing to make waves.

But right now, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stands tallest—a proud father, an MVP, and the heart of a team chasing greatness.

Canadian fans have rallied behind him, and many are hoping for an SGA-led gold medal run with Team Canada in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics after the NBA season concludes.

From Family to Finals: The Perspective That Fuels Greatness

What separates the good from the great is often perspective—the ability to rise above pressure, ignore distractions, and stay focused on what truly matters.

For Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, that perspective comes in the form of a little boy named Ares.

“He’ll see this one day, I guess,” SGA said of his son. “He puts everything into perspective for sure.”

It’s a reminder that even in a game driven by stats, contracts, and championships, human moments like these are what define true greatness.

Conclusion: SGA’s Legacy Is More Than Basketball

With every jump shot, every assist, and every moment of poise under pressure, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is building a basketball legacy. But with every tender word about his son, he’s building a human legacy that’s even more powerful.

As the NBA Finals loom, SGA isn’t just playing for a trophy—he’s playing for his son, his family, and the joy of the game. He’s proven that greatness doesn’t just come from skill—it comes from knowing what matters most.

And that might just be what makes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the most unstoppable force in basketball right now.