Throughout Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's career, his father, Vaughn, has been one of his biggest supporters. When SGA and the OKC Thunder defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 on Wednesday to advance to the NBA Finals, Vaughn was right there with his son, and a brief instant of trolling ensued.
The moment happened shortly after Gilgeous-Alexander was named the Western Conference finals MVP. As he and his father posed for the cameras, SGA couldn't help but notice that Vaughn couldn't keep his fingers off the Magic Johnson trophy.
"You actin' like it's yours," Gilgeous-Alexander prodded Vaughn.

Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.
Playing along with the joke, Vaughn pretended to stuff the trophy in his pocket, prompting some hearty laughter from his son.
As far as family legacy goes, Gilgeous-Alexander essentially had sports in his blood. Vaughn played basketball in his youth, while SGA's mother, Charmaine, was a sprinter who competed at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Gilgeous-Alexander's lineage found itself in the spotlight during the Western Conference finals as his cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, whose mother Nicole is Vaughn's sister, was a key reserve for the Timberwolves.

In the Thunder's 4-1 series win, SGA outperformed his cousin and just about everybody else on both teams. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.4 ppg on 45.7% shooting from the field, along with 5.2 rebounds and 8.2 assists in this year's Western Conference finals.
With the Thunder favored over either team that could make it out of the East, it's certainly possible that Vaughn will soon be clutching a Finals MVP trophy awarded to his son in a matter of weeks.
"Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is taking it": Charles Barkley comments on so-called "face of the league" title
Another trophy that was handed to SGA over the past week was the 2025 NBA MVP award. A few days after Gilgeous-Alexander was named MVP, TNT analyst Charles Barkley weighed in on the so-called "face of the league" debate.
"Hey ESPN, I love you guys. Don't try to make Anthony Edwards the face of the NBA," Barkley said before Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. "The face of the NBA is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Joker and Giannis. You can't give it to people, they have to take it, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is taking it."
SGA certainly took it to the Timberwolves, and when the NBA Finals begin next week, the reigning MVP will perhaps take his game to an even higher level as he competes for his first championship.
OKC Thunder Fan? Check out the latest OKC Thunder depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.