The NBA Finals MVP changed hands at the top! Alexander scored 72 points in two games, and Halliburton still has a chance?

The 2025 NBA Finals are in full swing, and the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers tied 1-1 in the first two games. The suspense of the series is reborn, and every minute and every second touches the hearts of billions of fans! In the spotlight of this highest stage, the ownership of the Finals MVP (FMVP) has always been a topic that fans are talking about. It is not only the highest praise for the players' personal abilities, but also the glory engraved with history. Unless a miracle of losing the team like Jerry West in 1969, FMVP is usually the winner. But even so, there are always one or two players who use their super gods to carve their names at the forefront of the shortlist early.

However, in this battlefield filled with smoke, a figure cut through the sky and attracted all the spotlight with its unrivaled dominance. He is the Thunder's star - Shea Gilgers-Alexander! Yes, you read that right, this calm killer has quietly reached the top on the latest FMVP rankings. This article will conduct in-depth analysis of how this new Thunder core stands out on the MVP list of the Finals, his profound impact on the series, and what kind of magic he has with him become the most terrifying existence on the Finals field today.

Alexander: Stable output is the kingdom, 72 points create history!

Why does Alexander lead the way? Data won't lie. In the first two games of the finals, Alexander averaged an astonishing 36.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game! He scored 72 points in two games, and this result also set a record for the highest scoring record for the first two games of a player who participated in the Finals for the first time in NBA history! What kind of stability and efficiency is this?

What's even more terrifying is that the finals version of Alexander we see is almost the same as him in the regular season and playoffs. He can still find his dessert position in the opponent's strict defense, and scored accurately with the iconic mid-range emergency stop jump shot; his three-pointer became more confident and calm; his calm judgment and ending after the breakthrough were even more perfect. Alexander's performance is simply phenomenal after maintaining such a high level of competitive state for seven consecutive months.

Not only that, Alexander's tandem role in offensive end is also becoming increasingly prominent. His passing vision seemed to have reached another level, and he could always find his open teammates just right and send out assists easily and freely. On the defensive end, he also spared no effort and was a real vanguard in the series. As his teammate Jaylen Williams joked when talking about training against Alex Caruso: "Oh, no, I can beat AC (Caruso)." Then he said seriously: "Caruso is a very good defender." This confidence and recognition of his teammates also indirectly reflect the good chemistry in the Thunder, and Alexander is the absolute core of this youth army.

The heroes compete: Can Halliburton counterattack? Caruso becomes X-factor?

Of course, the finals stage is never short of challengers. Pacers commander Tyres Halliburton, although his series has a slightly inferior data (15.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists per game) than Alexander, he has shown amazing ability to make a comeback. Halliburton was a little quiet in the first half of the two games, but in the second half, he was completely different. G1's winning shot was even more amazing, and he left the suspense to the end. If the Pacers can have a Halliburton who is full of fire from beginning to end, they will have a better chance to push the thunder to the edge of the cliff, and the ownership of FMVP will also have variables. In the

, in the Thunder Formation, in addition to Alexander, Alex Caruso's performance was also eye-catching. The bench gangster shone in G2, scoring 20 points (to tie the highest score in the individual finals), and contributed a rock-solid defense, and was the key to the Thunder's victory. His three-point shooting percentage of 41.7% in the finals this season also won him more playing time. Caruso is undoubtedly the MVP leader among bench players. His continued and efficient performance will be an important bargaining for the Thunder to attack the championship.

Another new star of the Thunder, Jaylen Williams (averages 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists) and Pacers' forward player Pascal Siakam (averages 17.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists) also performed well. Williams always stands up when the team needs a second scoring point, but its stability still needs to be polished. Siakam is the most impactful player in the Pacers, and continues to put pressure on the Thunder's defense and even forces the Thunder to double-team him. However, the sluggish performance of only 3 of 11 shots in G2 also shows that the Thunder are gradually familiar with his offensive routines. Siakam needs to better deal with double-teams through video analysis and find his teammates who were emptied in time.

Cultural Influence and Team Dynamics: Alexander is not only FMVP

Alexander's Finals journey, but its significance is far more than a potential FMVP trophy. His calm, efficient and comprehensive style of play is setting a new benchmark for young players in the league. He proved with practical actions that not relying entirely on extreme physical talents can also dominate the game with superb skills and super high basketball IQ, which undoubtedly has a positive driving effect on the development of basketball.

For the Thunder, Alexander's stable performance is undoubtedly the team's stabilization. His presence not only greatly improves the team's offensive limit, but also inspires every teammate on a spiritual level. Thunder's tactical system will also be built more around him, in order to maximize his influence on both offense and defense. His leadership temperament and responsibility at critical moments are important reasons why this young Thunder team can pass the hurdles, reach the finals, and compete with the experienced Pacers.

Looking forward: FMVP suspense still exists, but the balance has tilted

The finals are just halfway through, and the Pacers will never be defeated. Can Halliburton be on fire from the beginning of the next game? Can Siakam find the key to crack the Thunder’s targeted defense? These will be the key factors that will keep the series going and even the final destination of FMVP. Myers Turner's basket protection and outside projection also caused considerable trouble to the Thunder, and his performance is also worthy of attention.

But for now, Shea Gilgers-Alexander has undoubtedly occupied the most favorable position. His historically level personal performance and his strong competitiveness in leading the team in the finals have made him the most powerful contender for FMVP. As long as the Thunder can finally win the O'Brien Cup, this trophy that symbolizes the highest honor of the finals will most likely belong to the new king from Oklahoma.

Calm killer nature, comprehensive offensive and defensive skills, and continuous peak output - this is Shay Gilgers-Alexander. He is launching a strong impact on the throne of the 2025 NBA Finals MVP with an unstoppable momentum. This wonderful basketball drama, the climax part has just begun! Let's wait and see if Alexander can carry out the magic to the end and engrave his name on the historical monument of the NBA forever!