Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Breaks Allen Iverson NBA Finals Scoring Record

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder has made a historic impact in the 2025 NBA Finals by scoring 72 points across the first two games, setting a new record for most points in a player's first two NBA Finals games and surpassing Allen Iverson's previous mark. His performance, including a 34-point Game 2 that helped the Thunder even the series against the Indiana Pacers, has placed him among elite company, tying Wilt Chamberlain's record for nine consecutive home playoff games with at least 30 points. The Thunder's balanced team effort coupled with Gilgeous-Alexander's consistent scoring threat underscores their challenge to the Pacers as the series moves to Indianapolis. Meanwhile, the University of Kentucky has emerged as the top contributor of NBA talent in the Finals, boasting three players in the series—Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, and Isaiah Jackson—and a total of 18 alumni in the 2025 NBA Playoffs across 13 teams. This highlights Kentucky's status as a premier pipeline for NBA talent, showcasing the program's success in recruiting and developing elite players who are now making significant marks on the league's biggest stage.