Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Remains Focused Amidst NBA Finals Struggles

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder trail 2-1 in the NBA Finals after a tough Game 3 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Despite a quiet fourth quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander remains confident in his team's ability to bounce back.

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is refusing to use fatigue as an excuse after the team's Game 3 loss to the Indiana Pacers. With the Thunder down 2-1 in the NBA Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the importance of perseverance, saying, “You got to suck it up. There's a maximum four games left in the season. It's what you worked the whole season for. It's what you worked all summer for.”

The Pacers' relentless defense has been a key factor in their success, particularly in Game 3. They pressured Gilgeous-Alexander an average of 65.5 feet from the basket, forcing him into six turnovers, a playoff career high. Despite this, Gilgeous-Alexander doesn't believe the Pacers' speed and physicality wore him down late in the game. “I'm not too sure. I don't think so. It's a physical game. We've had plenty of physical games,” he said.

The Thunder will look to rebound in Game 4, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge. He's been dominant throughout the season, earning him the NBA MVP title. However, his performance in Game 3 was marked by a quiet fourth quarter, where he scored just three points. Despite this, Gilgeous-Alexander remains confident in his team's ability to bounce back and adjust to the Pacers' pressure.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized that there's no room for excuses, saying “You got to suck it up,” as the Oklahoma City Thunder trail 2-1 in the NBA Finals. He highlighted the importance of perseverance, noting that the team's hard work throughout the season and summer is what's crucial now.

Gilgeous-Alexander had a strong start to the series, combining for 72 points in the first two games, including 34 points in the Thunder's Game 2 win. However, his production dipped in Game 3, particularly in the fourth quarter. Despite this, he didn't attribute his fade to fatigue, instead focusing on moving forward.

“There's a maximum four games left in the season. It's what you worked the whole season for. It's what you worked all summer for.

“To me, the way I see it, you got to suck it up, get it done and try to get a win.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the need for resilience, saying “You got to suck it up,” as the Thunder face a 2-1 deficit in the NBA Finals.

Gilgeous-Alexander had a strong start to the series, combining for 72 points in the first two games, including 34 points in the Thunder's Game 2 win. Despite a quieter fourth quarter in Game 3, he didn't cite fatigue as a factor, instead maintaining a forward-looking mindset.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points in Game 3, but his production significantly dropped in the fourth quarter, where he managed just three points. He also committed six turnovers, a playoff career high. Indiana's defense, particularly Andrew Nembhard, played a key role in containing him.

Nembhard explained the Pacers' defensive strategy, saying, “I think we're trying to make it tough on him. The biggest thing is just you're persistent, trying to make it tough on him. It's a team job. We all have to be locked in and tied together on that end of the floor to get it done.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn't attribute his fourth-quarter struggles to fatigue, despite the Thunder being outscored 32-18 in the period. When asked if fatigue played a role, he said, “I'm not too sure. I don't think so. It's a physical game. We've had plenty of physical games. We've had games like that where I've been great late, games where I've stunk late.”

Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the importance of sticking to his game, regardless of the circumstances. He acknowledged the physicality of the game and the variability of his performance in the fourth quarter.

“It's become so second nature the way I play, the way I think about the game. It's just part of who I am.

“My leadership is the same. It's been all year, been organic to who I am.”

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault expressed confidence that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will adjust and bounce back from his Game 3 performance.

“I think one of his superpowers is the ability to get into the next possession, the next game, the next experience,” Daigneault said. “He's the last guy I'm worried about with that.