Can MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder become the first NBA champion to repeat since 2018?
A year ago, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was an elite guard looking to break through.
Now, he’s the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player and the leader of the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
The spotlight is brighter than ever entering the 2025-26 NBA season, but Gilgeous-Alexander says his focus is unchanged.
"It would suck to lose the NBA championship in 2026. That's the new focus. That's the new goal," SGA told reporters on the Thunder's 2025 Media Day.
The roster that powered OKC to a 68-14 record and the franchise’s first NBA title is largely intact as Gilgeous-Alexander, All-Star Jalen Williams and rising star forward Chet Holmgren all signed offseason extensions, underscoring the franchise’s stability despite their youth.
For SGA, also the reigning Finals MVP, the path forward remains simple.
"How we get there is the same as it’s always been — daily improvement and focusing on what we can control," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "Hopefully, we look up and we’ve accomplished the same thing we just accomplished."
Holmgren, who missed a chunk of last season with hip and pelvic injuries, used the summer to physically rebuild.
“I just didn’t have enough time last year to get my body right. So this summer was big,” the 23-year-old big man admitted.
Williams, meanwhile, averaged 21.6 points and earned All-NBA Third Team honors. He was pivotal in closing out the NBA title despite having to play through a wrist injury in the playoffs, which needed surgery in the offseason.
"It allowed me to take care of my body and not go full throttle. With the short offseason, it's kind of hard to manage how much you want to work out. So it actually made me take a break, which was nice," J-Dub noted.
Not only are the stars back for OKC, but the role players are, too.
Isaiah Hartenstein gave the Thunder much-needed bulk and averaged 11.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per game last season.
Lu Dort was a first-team All-Defensive selection who shot 41 percent from 3-point range, while Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace ranked among the league’s top perimeter defenders.
Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe provided much-needed lift from the bench while Jaylin Williams, Ajay Mitchell, and Kenrich Williams provided key minutes when needed.
Overall, head coach Mark Daigneault said the Thunder’s consistent approach will help them handle the challenges of a new season.
“Circumstances are always changing, but we emphasize things that are timeless and can transcend circumstances,” the 2024 Coach of the Year emphasized.
“We try to have a very consistent and stable approach. We emphasize those things in all situations,” he noted.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.