On a night when Oklahoma City took a massive step toward an NBA championship, its brightest star lit up the arena long before the opening tip. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 2025 NBA MVP and the undisputed face of the Thunder franchise, made headlines not just for his 31-point, 10-assist performance in Game 5, but for something far more human: signing a staggering 429 autographs for fans ahead of the game.
SGA signed 429 autographs in this clip 🤯
(🎥 @NBA )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 16, 2025
Yes, 429. Not after the buzzer. Not at a practice facility. But in the pressure-packed tunnel of Paycom Center, before arguably the biggest game of his life.
Captured in a time-lapse video that has since gone viral, Gilgeous-Alexander patiently weaved through swarms of fans, grinning as he scribbled his name across jerseys, posters, balls, and even one fan’s forehead.
He took over six minutes out of his tightly regimented pregame routine, the same routine he’s credited with locking in his elite-level play, to give his supporters a moment they’ll remember forever.
And it wasn’t a one-off. According to the NBA’s media team, Shai has been doing this throughout the Finals. When asked how many autographs he thought he signed in one session, Shai guessed maybe “50 or 60? 100?”
His jaw dropped when he heard the real number: “429?! That’s insane!”
“That’s insane” • SGA reacts to how many autographs he signed prior to Game 2.
Shai and the Thunder return home for a PIVOTAL Game 5 vs. the Pacers tonight at 8:30pm/et on ABC! https://t.co/VJpPlSRAwE pic.twitter.com/dDamj3z4tR
— NBA (@NBA) June 16, 2025
The timing couldn’t have been more poetic. Hours later, SGA delivered a signature performance to match his signature spree. He scored 31 points, dished 10 assists, and guided the Thunder to a 120-109 win, giving OKC a 3–2 series lead over the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals.
Alongside him, Jalen Williams exploded for 40 points in a breakout performance, but it was Shai who orchestrated the offense and steadied the team when Indiana threatened a fourth-quarter comeback.
His effort on the court was brilliant, but his effort off the court? Iconic.
As Oklahoma City inches closer to its first-ever NBA championship, Gilgeous-Alexander has proven to be more than just the MVP. He’s become the soul of a franchise and the face of what a superstar in the modern NBA should be: talented, gracious, grounded, and fan-first.
One more win could deliver the Thunder a title. But win or lose, Shai has already sealed his legacy in Oklahoma City. In six minutes, 429 times over, he reminded the world why this game is about more than just numbers. It’s about the people.
