Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominant performance in the 2025 NBA Finals not only led his team to a historic championship but also earned him a bold new title from teammate Lex Caruso. Following the Game 7 victory over the Indiana Pacers, Caruso confidently labeled Gilgeous-Alexander as the “next face of the league.”
Gilgeous-Alexander’s remarkable season witnessed him achieve the league’s MVP award and the Finals MVP trophy, capping off a career year with a dominant postseason run. However, his ability to score and lead quickly propelled him to the forefront of the most elite players in the NBA. According to Caruso, the 25-year-old has the perfect mix of talent, leadership, and relentless ambition that could keep him at the top for years.
“As far as face of the league and best player, and best team, he’s got that capability… I think the thing that sets him apart is that he’ll be hungry for more,” Caruso said. “He won’t be satisfied with winning this one time. He’ll want to do it again.”
“As far as face of the league and best player, and best team, he’s got that capability… I think the thing that sets him apart is he’ll be hungry for more. He won’t be satisfied with winning this one time. He’ll want to do it again.”
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 23, 2025
Alex Caruso on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 🙌… pic.twitter.com/WG1V565Kk3
As Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates his first championship, one thing is clear: this is just the beginning for Oklahoma City’s new superstar. The Thunder are now ready for even greater success with their young, hungry leader at the front.
Alex Caruso’s Post-Game Celebration After Winning The NBA Title
The Oklahoma City Thunder won their first-ever NBA championship Sunday night, concluding a magical season. During the locker room celebration, a funny moment showed how new the team was to winning. None of the players knew how to pop a champagne bottle.
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Luckily, Alex Caruso was there to help. He’s the only player on the team with a championship ring, which he won with the Lakers in 2020. When his teammates shouted, “AC, HOW WE DO THIS?” Caruso grabbed a bottle, easily popped the cork, and launched it into the air.
Even though Caruso didn’t score in Game 6, his leadership mattered greatly in the showdown to secure the title.
