Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 24 points and 12 assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder fell 122-115 to the San Antonio Spurs in a double-overtime Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday night at Paycom Center. The Thunder saw a late lead slip away despite a strong effort from Alex Caruso and the return of Jalen Williams.
The postgame conversation quickly centered on the tone of the matchup and the margin for error against an elite opponent, with Gilgeous-Alexander describing the intensity clearly. “Yeah, quality opponent. We knew it was going to be a dog fight. We just got to be better. Me in particular had to play better, especially against a team of this caliber. Yeah, nothing more than that.”
The pace of the game also stood out, especially in a contest that stretched into two overtimes and featured multiple momentum swings. “Yeah, exactly what I expected. Fast. They played very fast. Yeah, exactly what I expected in the game. Just got to be better out there.”
Much of the defensive attention from San Antonio centered on limiting his early aggression, forcing him into a read-and-react approach. “I just try to take what the defense gives me. I think earlier they were like heavier in the gaps and I had a lot of sprays for open shooters more so and I think they loosened up as the game went on and I was able to find my cracks. Yeah, it’s got to be better when I get those cracks.”
The conversation also shifted to the challenge of breaking down rim protection and defensive length, particularly in a series that demands constant adjustment. “Yeah, you just got to be aggressive. Also, just be smart, I think, more than anything. He obviously is very big at the rim. But we still found cracks in it at times. We just got to be willing to work possessions and make sure we get the best shot each time down. And just be patient with that.”
Beyond his own performance, Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the impact of his teammates, particularly Alex Caruso’s 31-point outing off the bench and Jalen Williams’ return from injury. “I can’t pick either. It was a great game from Alex. Sad it went to waste. But yeah, he played his butt off tonight. I’m proud of him. But I expect that from Alex, especially this time of year, he always brings it.”
The Thunder guard also pointed to the importance of collective resilience after a game decided late in overtime, noting the importance of response rather than frustration. “Yeah, absolutely. I know what my teammates are capable of, what we’re capable of as a team when we bring it. It’s just unfortunate I wasn’t able to bring my best game tonight, but that’s how it goes sometimes. Sometimes you’re your best version, sometimes you’re not. You got to roll with the punches. Don’t get discouraged and stay true to who you are.”
Looking ahead, he framed the series as an ongoing adjustment battle, shaped by previous playoff experiences and the need for continuous improvement. “We have to get better with each game. We have to learn the mistakes from the wins and the losses tonight, the losses and continue to get better. We did that in the previous two when we lost game one. We have to do so again this series if we want to give ourselves a chance.”
