The 2025 ESPYS celebrated top sports moments with stars like Suni Lee and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander making notable red carpet appearances, alongside musical performances and honors for sports legends and first responders.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have risen to the top of the NBA with a unique offensive strategy that defies traditional basketball roles, emphasizing versatility and skill development across all positions. Under the guidance of coach Mark Daigneault, who is a front-runner for NBA Coach of the Year, the Thunder have crafted an offense that utilizes guard-to-guard screening actions and encourages every player to handle the ball and make decisions. This approach has led to significant wins, including a memorable victory over the Boston Celtics without star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder's success is attributed to their ability to adapt and innovate, creating an offense that leverages the diverse talents of their players.
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Boston Celtics 127-123, ending Boston's six-game winning streak. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 36 points, contributing to Oklahoma City's impressive run of eight wins in their last nine games. The victory places the Thunder second in the Western Conference standings. Despite a late-game rally by the Celtics, the young Thunder team showcased their growth and potential as contenders in the league.
The Oklahoma City Thunder held off a late surge by the Boston Celtics to secure a 127-123 victory, ending Boston's six-game win streak. The pivotal moment came in the third quarter when the Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, outscored the Celtics 40-25 to build a lead that proved too much for Boston to overcome. Jayson Tatum's near triple-double performance wasn't enough to complete the comeback, despite his 30 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists.
The Oklahoma City Thunder secured their fifth consecutive win by defeating the NBA-leading Boston Celtics 127-123, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge with 36 points. The Thunder's impressive performance included contributions from Josh Giddey and Chet Holmgren, while the Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum combined for 64 points in the loss. The game featured a strong second-half start by the Thunder and a late rally by the Celtics, but clutch free throws by Gilgeous-Alexander sealed the victory for Oklahoma City.
Joel Embiid is currently leading a tight NBA MVP race, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo rounding out the top five. Embiid's impressive stats and impact on the Sixers' success place him at the forefront, despite missing games due to injury. Gilgeous-Alexander's historic season has positioned him as a strong contender, while Jokic's consistent performance keeps him in the conversation. Doncic's ability to carry the Mavericks and Antetokounmpo's sustained excellence with the Bucks also make them key players in the MVP discussion. Other notable talents to watch include Tyrese Haliburton, Jayson Tatum, De'Aaron Fox, Anthony Edwards, and LeBron James.
As the NBA season progresses, the MVP race is heating up with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder leading the pack, followed closely by Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers. The top 10 candidates showcase a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, with notable performances from players like Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The MVP discussion not only highlights individual excellence but also reflects the impact these players have on their teams' success.
Denver Nuggets' star Nikola Jokic praised Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, calling him "a problem in this league" and commending his desire to win over personal statistics. Despite Jokic's own strong performance, the Nuggets lost to the Thunder 119-93, with Gilgeous-Alexander scoring an impressive 40 points. Jokic also hinted at not appearing on more podcasts after his feature on Michael Porter Jr.’s "Curious Mike" podcast, and discussed the team's approach to games and fatigue during the season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder triumphed over the Denver Nuggets with a score of 119-93, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 40 points and Chet Holmgren's 24 points. The Thunder extended their winning streak to three games, while the Nuggets' six-game winning streak came to an end.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 119-93 victory over the Denver Nuggets with a 40-point performance, including a pivotal 17 points in the third quarter. The Thunder's win, fueled by Gilgeous-Alexander's efficient shooting and Chet Holmgren's 24 points, ended the Nuggets' six-game winning streak and marked their second recent loss to the Thunder. Despite Nikola Jokic's efficient scoring, the Nuggets struggled with turnovers and couldn't contain the Thunder's offense, especially during Oklahoma City's significant third-quarter run.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a dominant 119-93 victory over the Denver Nuggets, ending Denver's six-game winning streak with a 40-point performance. The Nuggets struggled with turnovers and poor shooting, particularly from Jamal Murray and beyond the arc. The Thunder capitalized on fast-break opportunities and overcame a slow start from three-point range to secure the win. Denver's Nikola Jokic faced tough defense, and the team missed the presence of Aaron Gordon, who was out due to injury.