The month of May 2025 will be remembered as one of the most exciting in the history of American sports, with unforgettable moments and stellar figures such as Carlo Ancelotti, Álex Palou, Shohei Ohtani and Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez, as well as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers teams.
Success in the NBA
In the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder made a triumphant return to the Finals, something that hadn’t happened since 2012. After an exceptional regular season, with a record of 68-14, the team, led by the Most Valuable Player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, secured their place in the final on May 28, after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves with a score of 124-94 in the fifth game of the series.
Their opponent in the fight for the championship will be the Indiana Pacers, who reached the Finals after defeating the Milwaukee Bucks (4-1), Cleveland Cavaliers (4-1) and New York Knicks (4-2), repeating a feat they hadn’t achieved since the year 2000.
Ancelotti’s Impact in Brazil
In South American football, May was marked by the return of Carlo Ancelotti to the benches, this time as the coach of Brazil, with an eye on the 2026 World Cup. The Italian coach debuted in the qualifiers with a goalless draw against Ecuador, in Guayaquil, in a match that marked the return of Casemiro to the national team, while Neymar continues his recovery process.
Palou conquers the Indy 500
Motorsport experienced a historic moment on May 25th, when Spaniard Álex Palou was crowned for the first time in the Indianapolis 500, solidifying his dominance in the IndyCar Series. Palou already has three titles, 17 victories and an impressive start to the 2025 season, with five wins in six races.
Canelo, an undisputed champion
In boxing, Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez reaffirmed his legendary status by defeating Cuban William Scull in Riyadh, unifying the super middleweight titles (168 pounds). The Mexican boxer won by unanimous decision after 12 rounds, maintaining his undisputed champion title and raising his professional record to 64 victories.
Ohtani returns to the mound
Baseball also took center stage with the return of Shohei Ohtani as a pitcher. The Japanese player returned to the mound on May 25 at Citi Field, facing five batters in his first appearance as a pitcher since his surgery in 2023, after signing his historic $700 million contract.
May 2025 will be marked as a month of challenges overcome, expected returns, and triumphs that defined an era in American sports.
