I was like, ‘Who is that sitting with my wife?’ ” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
“You just lied in my face now,” Gilgeous-Alexander told Paul with a smile.
I wouldn’t miss it for nothing,” Paul said about attending the game where Gilgeous-Alexander received the NBA MVP award.
But this season Gilgeous-Alexander won his first MVP award over Jokic by a landslide.
Paul has been to two Western Conference finals and played in one NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns in 2021.
Oklahoma City – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had just been named the NBA Most Valuable Player when he began to suspect something. An individual who had never previously seen his wife, Hailey, sitting in his courtside seats at a Thunder game was seated next to him. Chris Paul, a former teammate and mentor, was the Oklahoma City Thunder guard’s surprise guest before he could even raise an eyebrow.
It was breathtaking. It took me by surprise. It made me do a double take. “Who is that sitting with my wife?” Gilgeous-Alexander asked. When I realized it was Chris, I became a little tense. And I thought, “That’s cool.”. ‘”.
Gilgeous-Alexander won the scoring championship and guided the Thunder to a league-high 68 victories, earning him his first MVP honor. Before Thursday night’s 118-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals at Paycom Center, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver gave him the MVP trophy, a day after it was announced. Game 3 of the series will be played in Minneapolis on Saturday, with Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder leading 2-0.
Sitting courtside, Paul relished witnessing his former teammates, NBA All-Defensive first-team selection Luguentz Dort and Gilgeous-Alexander, receive accolades for their achievements.
Paul told Andscape that being here meant the world to him. “Lu makes his first all-defensive team at last.”. I’m glad for him that he gets to enjoy this game with [Gilgeous-Alexander’s wife]. “.”.
When Gilgeous-Alexander’s postgame interview aired in China, he joined other teammates in supporting Thunder forward Chet Holmgren. Following that interview, Gilgeous-Alexander hid behind a protective tape courtside to give his wife a hug and a kiss before teasing a beaming Paul, who reportedly led his former teammate to believe he wasn’t there.
“You just lied in my face now,” Gilgeous-Alexander grinned as he addressed Paul.
Paul asked, “Who?”.
Paul is a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team and will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after making 12 NBA All-Star selections. The 20-year NBA veteran, who turned 40 on May 6, told Andscape that he hasn’t made up his mind about playing in the future. Paul participated in all 82 of the San Antonio Spurs’ regular-season games this season, but in March, the soon-to-be free agent informed Andscape that he would discuss with his wife and two kids this offseason whether or not he should play on.
Paul and Gilgeous-Alexander were teammates for one season with the Thunder during the coronavirus pandemic-affected 2019–2020 NBA season. It was Paul’s first season with the Thunder as well as Gilgeous-Alexander’s first. NBA All-Star forward Paul George was acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers on July 10, 2019, in exchange for Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and five first-round draft picks from the Thunder.
It was a joy for Paul to guide Dort and Gilgeous-Alexander. In addition to playing backcourt together, Gilgeous-Alexander was frequently seen alongside Paul during the 2020 NBA Bubble in Orlando, Florida. Paul not only became Gilgeous-Alexander’s mentor but also a close friend during their one season together. Paul is anticipated to play a recurring role because of their relationship, and Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the five NBA players who star in Netflix’s second season of “Starting Five.”.
Gilgeous-Alexander remarked, “He has been fantastic, not just as a big brother and mentor, but he is also like a friend.”. He is always available for support. He was the first man I had a close relationship with who accomplished the goals I had set for myself. And I truly rely on him for guidance, not just on basketball, but also on business, body care, and how to manage the family when they aren’t living with you.
“As an NBA player, particularly one of his caliber, there are a lot of things that you deal with that are not widely known. In addition to his excellent advice on off-court matters, he was also a great mentor and friend. “.”.
Paul’s affection for Gilgeous-Alexander is reciprocal.
“That’s my family there.”. Paul stated, “I wouldn’t miss it for nothing,” in reference to going to the game where Gilgeous-Alexander was named NBA MVP. Particularly at that particular moment. “.”.
According to Gilgeous-Alexander, Paul’s advice on how to improve his diet was the most helpful of all. Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, admitted that he used to be a chain restaurant junkie who loved fast food and The Cheesecake Factory. Late-night Domino’s pizza slices were the Canadian’s guilty pleasure.
During their time in the NBA Bubble, Paul improved Gilgeous-Alexander’s diet.
Gilgeous-Alexander admitted to Andscape, “I ate awful when I was younger.”. He taught me how to eat healthily and take care of my body. “”.
Paul claimed that even before Gilgeous-Alexander joined the Thunder, he recognized his potential for greatness.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who played with Paul in his first season with the Thunder, averaged 19 points, 5 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 points and 3 assists. Gilgeous-Alexander came in second to Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in the 2024 MVP voting after earning his first of three NBA All-Star selections in 2023. However, Gilgeous-Alexander defeated Jokic by a wide margin this season to win his first MVP award.
“Even though I left, I was really close to [Clippers athletic trainer] Jasen Powell when he was a rookie. Paul added, “And he told me about [Gilgeous-Alexander’s] work ethic.”.
Paul participated in one NBA Finals game with the Phoenix Suns in 2021 and has attended two Western Conference Finals. The Thunder’s first Western Conference finals since 2016 are being played by Gilgeous-Alexander and the team. The Thunder have only made it to the NBA Finals once since leaving Seattle in 2008, and that was in 2012, when they lost to the Miami Heat. With the best regular-season record in the NBA (68-14) and the talent to win the first championship as a franchise, the Thunder appear destined to make history.
Even though the Thunder are actually only six victories away from winning their first NBA championship, Gilgeous-Alexander claimed that it’s “pretty easy” to concentrate on Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.
We’ve developed the habit of worrying about the next game and the task at hand throughout the entire season. In this case, it is the same,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated. We understand our current position in this season. If we moved away from what brought us here, we would be doing ourselves a disservice. And we give that top priority. “.”.
Paul wouldn’t be shocked to hear that from his beloved friend and student. If his younger brother advances to the NBA Finals, don’t be shocked if Paul returns to Oklahoma City to cheer him on.
“Winning is all that matters to him in the end,” Paul remarked.
