Why NBA legend Allen Iverson recently attended OKC Thunder game

As the Oklahoma City Thunder absolutely humiliated the Washington Wizards in a 114-75 win, another former MVP winner was in the building. Allen Iverson made the rare trip to Paycom Center as he watched along. He was accompanied by Vaughn Alexander — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's father. Iverson was show

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Nov 7, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, left, and Vaughn Alexander, right, watch a game between the Washington Wizards and Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

As the Oklahoma City Thunder absolutely humiliated the Washington Wizards in a 114-75 win, another former MVP winner was in the building. Allen Iverson made the rare trip to Paycom Center as he watched along. He was accompanied by Vaughn Alexander — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's father.

Iverson was shown on the Paycom Center Jumbotron. The OKC crowd applauded his appearance. You don't get too many NBA celebrities around the small-market team, so his courtside stay was special.

Of course, Gilgeous-Alexander balled out in front of his basketball hero. He had a low-effort 30 points and nine assists in three quarters before he sat out the final dozen minutes. The two-time MVP has spoken about his affinity for Iverson over the years.

"My dad was a big fan,

so his games were always on TV. When he came to Toronto as well. In that era, every kid's favorite player was Allen Iverson," Gilgeous-Alexander said in Apr. 2025. "How he played the game. His swag on and off the court. I'm not the only kid that loved AI. Definitely an influencer."

Iverson was in OKC to celebrate Alexander's Nov. 7 birthday. The NBA superstar's father linked with Trae Young's father — Ray Young — for a shared birthday party. The stars aligned as the Wizards were in town. Of course, Young grew up in Norman, OK, as a Thunder fan. He played for the Sooners in his lone collegiate year in 2017-18.

Iverson is one of the most-decorated guards of the NBA's 2000s. The Hall-of-Famer is a one-time MVP winner and an 11-time All-Star. He's a four-time scoring champion. He's widely viewed as one of the greatest players in Philadelphia 76ers history.

Considering Gilgeous-Alexander is also a scoring-dominant, slender guard, it makes sense for him to idolize Iverson — who was one of the top NBA faces of his childhood. There's definitely a lot of influence in his scoring bag as he loves to drive to the basket and drill contested mid-range jumpers.

Allen Iverson and Vaughn Alexander at Vaughn’s birthday party tonight in OKC. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tmCaROg5IG
— Addam M. Francisco (@SuaveCEO_) November 8, 2026