On a night in which he hoisted the NBA MVP trophy for the first time, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proved why he earned the honor in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.

Trey Murphy III defended Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from flopping accusations by admitting it’s part of the game and something every NBA player, including himself, does.

Fortunately, the gentleman in question was none other than Gilgeous-Alexander's friend and former teammate Chris Paul, thought the Thunder star jokingly admitted it took him a second to make the connection.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gifted Oklahoma City Thunder teammates lavish gift boxes after winning the 2025 NBA MVP award

Gilgeous-Alexander drove toward the lane and beat McDaniels on the play, when the Timberwolves star shoved the star guard and sent him to the ground in a heap. Players from both sides jawed at one another as the tension ramped up, and when the dust settled, McDaniels received a Flagrant 1 — not that he minded.

In the third quarter of the Timberwolves’ Game 1 loss to Oklahoma City, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tried to drive right past his cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Shai fell down, and the official called a foul on Nickeil.

The odds-on championship favorite Oklahoma City Thunder took a 2-0 series lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a dominant 118-103 victory. Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 38 points and as a result moved from -220 to -300 to win the NBA Finals MVP.