It was one of those moments that perfectly captured the energy, joy, and dominance of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship run. The cameras zoomed in just as the third quarter buzzer sounded, and there he was—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, walking back to the bench, drenched in sweat but grinning from ear to ear. The crowd was on its feet, the Thunder had momentum, and the broadcast on ABC/ESPN+ gave the world a perfect glimpse into what Shai was feeling: confidence, relief, and pure joy. Shai all smiles to end the third quarter. ⚡
That smile wasn’t just about a single play, or even a single quarter. It was about everything that had led to that moment. The hours in the gym. The playoff battles. The criticism. The growth. And now, under the bright lights of the NBA Finals, Shai was putting on a masterclass, leading his team in the biggest game of their lives.
The Context: Game 7, NBA Finals
The stakes couldn’t have been higher. Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers had delivered everything fans had hoped for—intensity, highlight plays, and edge-of-your-seat drama. But as the third quarter came to a close, the Thunder were surging. Shai had just completed an incredible sequence—first hitting a silky pull-up jumper, then assisting a corner three, followed by a defensive rebound that led to a fast-break bucket.
It was vintage SGA: patient, smart, and completely in control. And when that buzzer sounded to end the third, Oklahoma City had stretched their lead, and Shai’s smile said it all. It was the look of a man who knew he was 12 minutes away from making history.
Shai’s Journey to This Moment
To understand the power behind that smile, you have to understand the journey. Drafted by the Clippers and traded early in his career to a rebuilding Thunder squad, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t complain or try to force his way out. He embraced the challenge. Year after year, he worked on his game—adding strength, refining his shot, improving his defense, and most importantly, becoming a leader.
In 2024–25, everything clicked. Shai won the NBA MVP, led OKC to the best record in the Western Conference, and was the clear floor general in every series they played. He was the heartbeat of the team, the one who never got rattled, always made the right decision, and could take over a game at any moment.
So when the smile hit his face at the end of the third quarter in Game 7, it wasn’t cockiness—it was a moment of reflection, a deep breath in the middle of a masterpiece.
The National Spotlight
What made the moment even more iconic was that it happened on ABC/ESPN+, in front of millions of viewers around the world. Social media exploded.
“Shai smiling like he already knows how this ends 😤”
“SGA walking off smiling = coldest image of the playoffs”
“We’re watching greatness in real time.”
The broadcasters caught it perfectly, too. As the camera panned to Shai walking toward the bench, commentator Mike Breen said, “And look at Shai—composed, confident, and in control. That smile says it all. He knows this is his time.”
For younger fans, it was the kind of image you put on your wall. For older fans, it brought back memories of iconic moments from legends—Kobe’s nod, Jordan’s shrug, LeBron’s stare-down. And now, Shai’s smile had joined that legacy of unforgettable playoff images.
A Quarter That Changed Everything
Statistically, that third quarter was the turning point. The Thunder outscored the Pacers by double digits, fueled by Shai’s all-around brilliance. He scored or assisted on nearly every Thunder basket in the final five minutes of the quarter, effectively shifting the momentum in OKC’s favor.
It wasn’t just scoring—though he had 11 points in the quarter—it was how he controlled the game. He dictated pace, broke down the defense, and trusted his teammates. He found open shooters, threaded impossible passes, and played tough defense on the other end.
By the time he reached the bench, the Thunder’s bench mob greeted him with chest bumps, high fives, and cheers. And that’s when the cameras caught it: Shai laughing, joking with Jalen Williams, as if he was back in an empty gym. That smile wasn’t for the cameras—it was real.
More Than a Smile
That third-quarter moment came to represent everything about OKC’s magical season. Their unselfishness. Their togetherness. Their underdog mentality. And Shai—steady, fearless, and smiling—was the symbol of it all.
When the final buzzer sounded in the fourth and the Thunder were crowned NBA Champions, that smile was replaced with tears, hugs, and celebration. But for fans watching, it was that grin at the end of the third quarter that will forever be remembered. The moment we all knew: they’ve got this.
