Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Lead guard · MVP
32.4 PPG · 6.1 APG · 5.3 RPG
Poured in 35 in the Game 7 loss, but the Spurs' wall and a cold supporting cast left him without enough help.
All contenders
OKC
Oklahoma City
Thunder
The title defense is over. OKC dropped Game 7 at home, 111-103 — SGA's 35 and 9 weren't enough as San Antonio's depth and three-point shooting closed the door. For the eighth straight season, the NBA will crown a new champion.
Title odds
Out
Moneyline
—
Regular season
68-14
Last title
2025
Who decides it
The three names that have to play like themselves — and the x-factor who tips it either way.
Chet Holmgren
Stretch big · DPOY finalist
18.7 PPG · 9.4 RPG · 2.6 BPG
Couldn't keep Wembanyama off the glass in the decisive games. Still the long-term frontcourt cornerstone.
Jalen Williams
Wing scorer
22.1 PPG · 5.7 RPG · 4.9 APG
A hamstring injury cost him the back half of the series — a swing the Thunder never recovered from.