Gilgeous-Alexander Keeps Awards Out of Sight While Red-Hot Thunder Focus on Repeat Quest
SLUG: gilgeous-alexander-thunder-early-season-focus
Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stored his individual honors in the basement and the back of his locker last spring, believing the trophies could wait until the Thunder finished the job. With an NBA title now secured and a new season underway, that approach has carried into a blistering 11-1 start.
“In its case, in the basement,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of his regular-season MVP award. He added that the Western Conference Finals MVP plaque remained hidden during the playoffs because “all the joy and everything that comes with that would’ve been put on hold had we not won the championship.”
Early dominance despite missing pieces
Oklahoma City has surged to the league’s best record even though All-Star wing Jalen Williams is still recovering from wrist surgery and several rotation players have already missed games. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reports that a culture of professionalism and hard work—anchored by Gilgeous-Alexander—has helped offset the absences.
“He still looks like he wants to make the team,” guard Luguentz Dort said. “The fact that he’s the leader of our team and still approaching it that way in Year 8 sets the tone for the rest of us.”
Roster decisions looming
Ownership may have to cross the NBA’s second luxury-tax apron to keep a potential dynasty intact, MacMahon notes. Choices arrive next summer on team options worth $18.2 million for Dort and $28.5 million for center Isaiah Hartenstein.
“How can I be focused on the present moment? Then I think everything will figure itself out when it’s done,” Hartenstein said. “With the second apron, winning always helps. So if we just keep winning, I think we can keep the team together.”
Daigneault’s influence
In a conversation with Mark Medina of Athlon Sports, Gilgeous-Alexander credited head coach Mark Daigneault for enforcing high standards across the roster. “Coach does a really good job of holding every guy in the room, including myself, to the highest standard and not letting it slip, no matter what,” he said.
Daigneault told Sam Amick of The Athletic that the organization adjusted its offseason calendar to let players fully enjoy the championship. “Normally guys are coming into Oklahoma City in early September, and we pushed that back for the guys that played a lot,” he explained. “Last season ended. This season starts. That was the 2025 championship. No one’s taking it away from us, but it’s also over.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
