Stephen A's Take: SGA joins elite company as MVP | Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury was heartbreaking.

Stephen A. Smith is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Executive Producer, host of ESPN's First Take, and co-host of NBA Countdown. 🏆 NBA Finals Recap Champions • : Oklahoma City Thunder win the 2024–2025 NBA Championship in Game 7 over the Indiana Pacers. MVP • : Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) • 29 points, 12 assists, 1 turnover in Game 7 • Joins elite company as MVP, scoring champ, and NBA champion in the same season • Thunder’s Core • : • Jalen Williams (J-Dub), Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein • Deep bench with Wiggins and Wallace • Second-youngest championship team in NBA history • 💔 Tyrese Haliburton Injury • Suffered an Achilles injury in Game 7 • Was off to a hot start before going down • Emotional moment as he greeted teammates on crutches post-game • His absence shifted the momentum of the game and series 🏀 Indiana Pacers’ Future • Despite the loss, the Pacers showed promise: • Bennedict Mathurin, Myles Turner, and others showed flashes • TJ McConnell praised for his gritty performance—nearly MVP-worthy if Pacers had won • • Haliburton’s injury likely sidelines him for the 2025–2026 season 🚑 Injury Crisis in the NBA • Major stars out for next season: • Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) • Jayson Tatum (Achilles) • Damian Lillard (Achilles) • Kyrie Irving (ACL) • • Raises concerns about the toll of modern pace-of-play on players’ bodies • JJ Redick’s comments on modern wear-and-tear vs. old-school physicality are echoed 🔁 Blockbuster Trade: Kevin Durant to Houston Rockets Trade Details • : • KD to Houston • Phoenix receives: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, 2025 #10 pick, five second-round picks • Houston’s New Core • : • KD joins Fred VanVleet, Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. • Rockets now seen as legit contenders in the West • 🔥 Phoenix Suns Fallout • KD’s age (36) and contract limited trade return • Suns now focused on offloading Bradley Beal, who has a no-trade clause • Beal’s value has plummeted—team may pay him to stay home 🧠 Stephen A’s Takeaways • OKC is the team to beat, but Houston is coming • KD still elite: 27 PPG, 50/39/88 shooting splits • Miami Heat missed a huge opportunity by not pursuing KD harder • Pat Riley may need to step back and let Erik Spoelstra take over full control

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