A potential close-out Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals was ugly from start to finish for the Oklahoma City Thunder, as dominant first and third quarters saw the San Antonio Spurs force a Game 7 thanks to a 118-91 home win.
Offense was hard to come by for the Thunder, and particularly their superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was held to a playoff-low 15 points on 6-for-18 shooting, including going 0-for-5 from beyond the arc.
It was the second time in this series that Gilgeous-Alexander was limited to fewer than 20 points, a mark he normally reaches with ease, and that’s had some wondering whether the grind of another deep playoff run is starting to play a factor. However, when asked about it postgame, he had no worries, already locked in on what he’s calling the biggest game of his career.
“Oh, I’m good. I’m ready to go. Biggest game of my career… It’s the next game, and if I lose, my season’s over,”
The 27-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 27.1 PPG, 7.9 APG, and 2.9 RPG across 14 playoff games so far. This comes after a second straight regular season MVP campaign, where he put up 31.1 PPG, 6.6 APG, and 4.3 RPG in 68 games.
Things haven’t come as easy for Gilgeous-Alexander and Oklahoma City this postseason, but that’s what playoff basketball is all about, and this rivalry with San Antonio is only just getting started.
The emotion, pace, and physicality have been on display all series, and you can expect more of the same on Saturday night.
Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will look to defend their reign, while Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs look to knock off the champs. It doesn’t get much better than this.
Next: Nick Suzuki Pushes Back on the Thought That the Canadiens Are Tired
