In an amusing display, Thunder's Lu Dort mocked Pacers players at the Globl Jam event, brandishing the NBA Finals trophy.
In the thrilling 2025 NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched their first championship title, led by the exceptional performance of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who was awarded the Finals MVP. The series was not only a testament to Gilgeous-Alexander's skills but also marked a significant moment for Canadian basketball as four Canadian players combined for nearly 75 points in the series opener.
Gilgeous-Alexander, along with Thunder's Lu Dort and Pacers' Andrew Nembhard and Ben Mathurin, made NBA history as the first four Canadian players to score such a high total in a playoff game. Their combined effort resulted in 72 points in Game 1, a record-breaking achievement.
Their encounter with the Larry O'Brien trophy at the 2025 Globl Jam served as a motivational and symbolic moment for the four players, reinforcing the competitive context of their Finals showdown. Dort brought the actual NBA Finals trophy to the Toronto event, allowing Nembhard and Mathurin to see it firsthand, which underscored the stakes of their upcoming Finals rematch.
The reunion at Globl Jam merged past friendships with the pressure of championship contention, enhancing their competitive drive and narrative for the series. Dort played a crucial defensive role for the Thunder, while Nembhard contributed significantly for the Pacers, averaging 11.7 points on 46.6% shooting and 42.3% from three-point range.
The Thunder, now the defending champions, will aim to defend their title in the 2025-26 season. In recognition of his extraordinary achievements, a street in Hamilton will be named after Gilgeous-Alexander, and the city's mayor, Andrea Horwath, honoured him with the key to the city. Gilgeous-Alexander expressed overwhelming joy at being given a key to the city he loves and having a street named after him.
Gilgeous-Alexander stated that Hamilton is different from other cities in Ontario and carries a unique sense of grit, determination, pride, and energy. He expressed his gratitude for the city's support and looked forward to returning to his hometown with the Larry O'Brien trophy, a moment he cherished deeply.
References: [1] ESPN. (2025). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins 2025 NBA Finals MVP. [online] Available at: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33677783/shai-gilgeous-alexander-wins-2025-nba-finals-mvp
[2] NBA.com. (2025). Canadian basketball stars shine in historic 2025 NBA Finals. [online] Available at: https://www.nba.com/news/canadian-basketball-stars-shine-in-historic-2025-nba-finals
[3] The Globe and Mail. (2025). Dort, Nembhard, and Mathurin's encounter with the Larry O'Brien trophy at the 2025 Globl Jam. [online] Available at: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/basketball/article-dort-nembhard-and-mathurin-encounter-with-the-larry-o-brien-trophy-at-the-2025-globl-jam/
[4] Sportsnet. (2025). Hamilton to name street after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. [online] Available at: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/hamilton-name-street-after-shai-gilgeous-alexander/
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