Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was held to a season-low 15 points in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals on Thursday, May 28. The San Antonio Spurs handled the defending NBA champions 118-91 to force Game 7.
The MVP played 28 minutes but went just 6-of-18 on field goals and 0-for-5 on 3-point shots. He also only had 4 assists and 1 rebound.
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Jalen Williams returned despite struggling with a hamstring strain. Ajay Mitchell did not play as he deals with a calf strain.
The Spurs went on a 20-4 run in the third quarter to run away with the win.
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Thunder coach Mark Daigneault spoke to the media after the loss about Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance. The guard scored 32 points the game prior.
“I was pretty encouraged last game at the cracks we were able to get him,” Daigneault said. “And obviously, I don’t think we were able to do that as well tonight. I’d never discredit the defense and the opponent. There’s always that. There are things I think we can do better.”
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.1 points per game in the regular season en route to his second straight Most Valuable Player award. He had a career-high 55 points early on in an October double-overtime matchup where the Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers 141-135, in a rematch of last year’s Finals.
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The four-time All-Star has cooled off a bit in the playoffs, though. He’s been held under 20 points two other times this postseason. He had 18 points on May 5 in a 108-90 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the playoffs and only notched 19 points in Game 4 against San Antonio, a 103-82 loss.
The Thunder will host the Spurs in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday, May 30. The winner will face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander held to season low 15 points in loss to Spurs
