Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has reiterated his commitment to the franchise, expressing his love for the team and the city. The 26-year-old, who is widely considered a leading MVP candidate this season, shared his thoughts in a recent interview with Jason Lloyd of The Athletic.
“I can only speak for myself. I love Oklahoma City and I can’t see a world where I’m not in Oklahoma City,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. He emphasized his connection with the Thunder organization, adding, “I’m comfortable where I am. I like where I am. I love the people in the organization, love the people around me, and those are the things that matter.”
Since joining the Thunder six years ago in the trade that sent Paul George to the Clippers, Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as one of the NBA’s brightest stars. This season, he is averaging 31.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in 34.7 minutes per game, leading Oklahoma City to an impressive 30-6 record.
The Thunder currently sit atop the Western Conference standings with a six-game cushion over the second-place Houston Rockets. Across the league, only the Cleveland Cavaliers boast a better record at 32-4. However, Oklahoma City fell short against Cleveland last night, losing 129-122 in a closely contested matchup.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s meteoric rise has coincided with the Thunder’s return to prominence, transforming them into a legitimate title contender. He credits his happiness and focus on the culture in Oklahoma City, stating, “I go to work every day with a smile on my face. Me personally, the market doesn’t matter. The money doesn’t matter to a certain extent. But as long as I enjoy what I’m doing at a very high level, I love the people that I’m around doing it.”
While his individual performances and the team’s dominance have fueled MVP discussions, Gilgeous-Alexander has consistently prioritized team success over personal accolades. “Winning games and being the best version of myself is all that matters,” he shared earlier this season.
With their star player firmly committed to the franchise, the Thunder’s future looks brighter than ever. As the season progresses, Oklahoma City’s combination of youth, depth, and star power puts them in a strong position to make a deep playoff run.
