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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sends message to OKC Thunder's Round 2 opponents.
The LA Lakers have zeroed in on holding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander throughout the Western Conference semifinals, but it has yet to result in a win. Since Game 1, the Lakers have been double-teaming Gilgeous-Alexander in almost every possession and have held him to under 25 points in all the games so far.
Gilgeous-Alexander reflected on being the focal point of the Lakers’ defensive game plan, saying that as long as the Thunder continues to win, he is fine to take a step back and let his supporting cast take over the game.
“Obviously, it hasn’t been my best performance,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after Game 3. “I’ve been able to help the team win, and that’s most important.”
“As long as we win. If the rest of the playoff run or the rest of my career look like what it looked like the past 3 games, I’m OK with that,” he added.
SGA: “Obviously hasn’t been my best performance. I’ve been able to help the team win, and that’s most important. As long as we win. If the rest of the playoff run or the rest of my career look like what it looked like the past 3 games, I’m OK with that.”
Gilgeous-Alexander put up 23 points, his highest scoring output so far in the series, in Game 3, along with four rebounds and nine assists.
He was not the leading scorer in the game as Ajay Mitchell, the team’s secondary ball initiator, tallied 24 markers to steer the Thunder to the win.
Chet Holmgren also provided stability with 18 points on top of bench players’ Cason Wallace and Isaiah Joe’s production, who had 16 and 12 points, respectively.
In Game 2, Gilgeous-Alexander only had 22 points. In Game 1, the Thunder superstar and MVP frontrunner only had 18 points, his lowest scoring output since Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals last year.
With the double teams on SGA, the Thunder has found success in executing off the backline and oftentimes in four-against-three situations en route to being undefeated in the series.
GettyOklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reflects on subpar performances.
The Lakers have been aggressive in trying to stop Gilgeous-Alexander, but his teammates have pounced on his attention and carry the cudgels since then.
With the Lakers’ defensive game plan, Gilgeous-Alexander told his teammates to remain ready and push them to succeed.
“No matter who comes through that door, I try to help them succeed and excel in their career and their skills and whatever it is that I can help them. I think that’s it’s just natural,” he said.
The Thunder is now 7-0 in the playoffs, becoming the first defending champion since the 2016-2017 Cleveland Cavaliers to win seven straight playoff games.
All this while SGA’s co-star Jalen Williams has been on the sidelines due to a Grade 1 hamstring injury, which he picked up during Game 2 of the first round against the Phoenix Suns.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers Head coach JJ Redick on losses against the Thunder.
JJ Redick felt the Lakers had been losing badly against the Thunder over the past three games. The Lakers head coach also factored in Gilgeous-Alexander and how the Thunder has overcome them throughout the series.
“The MVP scores 18, 22, 7-of-20 tonight, and they’ve kicked our ass three straight games. They are an incredible basketball team,” Redick said.
The Lakers still have a chance to steal one in the series on Game 4 in Los Angeles on Monday, May 11.
Rob Andrew Lo Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler. A Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda. More about Rob Andrew Lo
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