The league’s two-time Most Valuable Player was disappointed by his performance in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 24 points and 12 assists in 51 minutes during the Thunder‘s double overtime loss to the Spurs but he shot only 7-of-23 from the floor and committed four turnovers, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon notes.
“We just got to be better — me, in particular,” he said. “I have to be better, especially against a team of this caliber. Nothing more than that.”
San Antonio focused its defense on containing SGA. They often double-teamed Gilgeous-Alexander while Victor Wembanyama sagged off spot-up shooters to protect the rim.
“I know what my teammates are capable of, what we’re capable of as a team when we bring it,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s just unfortunate that 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’ve got to roll with the punches, don’t get discouraged and stay true to who you are.”
Here’s more on the Thunder:
- Alex Caruso was the beneficiary of San Antonio’s strategy, erupting for 31 points. Caruso says his intensity ramps up in the playoffs. “I think that’s probably why I play better this time of year, because winning is of the utmost importance and it carries a lot more weight in the playoffs than it does during the season,” Caruso said, per Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic. “It’s one of those things where you’re just trying to make whatever the play is and trying to win the game.”
- Chet Holmgren struggled throughout the season against the Spurs and that didn’t change in Game 1, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman writes. In five games against the Spurs, Holmgren is averaging 10 points per contest on 37% shooting. That includes his eight-point output in Game 1, with both of his field goals coming on three-pointers. How can they get him more involved? “It’s a good question,” coach Mark Daigneault said. “I think the general attacks in the offense will benefit everybody, put everybody in advantages, including him. The playoffs to this point have been a lot of that for him. He’s been very effective, and I think it’s been downstream of us running good offense. It’s not like we’re pushing buttons for him, it’s more like an identity thing that is feeding everybody and he’s been in the middle of that. I think if we play better collectively, he’ll be more involved and we’ll be able to get more cracks offensively.”
- Ajay Mitchell averaged 22.5 points per game against the Lakers in the conference semifinals but only took five shots in Game 1 while scoring four points. The 2024 second-round pick contributed in other ways with five assists, four rebounds and two steals. “There was part of me that truly believed I was a first-round pick,” Mitchell said to Andscape’s Marc J. Spears. “But there was another part of me that was like, ‘Don’t forget where you come from.’ For me to even play in the NBA and get drafted was like a dream as a little kid. Being able to do it, I will never take it for granted. It was a little mixed [emotions]. I definitely wanted to show people I was worth a first-round pick. I am just really happy to be a part of this organization with an opportunity to get better. That was the main goal for me.”
San Antonio did a great job of letting him get to his draw position and giving him an opportunity to shoot the ball at midrange. When Shai realized he couldn’t create an opportunity to be fouled he tried to go to the basket or pass. Game 2 should be interesting…
Both teams will have adjustments they make. I’m sure both sides feel if they clean up 2-3 things they will have a great shot to win game 2. We will see, the biggest winner of a 7 games sluggfest between these two is whoever comes out of the ECF.
As long as Wemby is active, Chet will always play poorly vs the Spurs.
Spurs should continue blitzing and doubling Shai, but this time leave someone besides Caruso open.
My brother who just won’t give Giannis his props. You think he disappears when he sees Wemby.
This is why you go after Giannis.
Chet — 40 mins, 8 pts, 2/7 FG, 8 reb. Chet can still get better. He will never be Giannis. And certainly not now or in next 2-3 yrs. Just saying
Chet and Golbert both are good against smaller teams but when they go against equal big men they fold. OKC was thrown off their game by nothing inside so expect them to do a lot of screens and try to take Wemby away from the key.
He doesn’t have to go out. Not enough. They can just switch and keep him close to key. You saw the zone they played. Its on offense where he really killed them 40 pts and 9 offensive rebounds. He scored 9 of the 14 pts to close out Thunder mostly inside. No IHart, just dumb.
IHart being on the floor helps them on defense but kills them on offense. If IHart is on the court that’s a non shooting big the spurs don’t have to guard outside of the paint. Wemby just gets to plant down low and never has to go out.
He doesn’t need to shoot. Just score. The D and rebounding is more important. IHart can box out Wemby. And gives Chet room to maneuver. IHart is a 62% FG shooter. In 30 mins can give you 10 n 10. He is also a good passer. Nobody is leaving I Hart alone down low. This is chess lol. And a 2way sport. You keep Wemby human. Then you have a better chance.
I didn’t say leave him alone down low I said they didn’t have to respect him a shooter so in an pick n roll situation trying to drag Wemby away from the hope of its IHart setting the screen Wemby won’t follow
Thats the point you don’t use him as a shooter. I get you think they can cheat of him. Not if he goes down low. Or is playing pickn roll. IHart and Chet is the way to play against Spurs. Chet concentrates on offense and help D. While IHart can concentrate on D and help offense. It’s a mistake not playing IHart.
@KnickAl
Presti wouldn’t trade starters and picks for Giannis even if they lose the series to the Spurs, because he’s past his peak. Presti is too good for that.
Did you miss how bad the Spurs looked with IHart in the game at the same time as Wemby?
He should only play against Kornet.
In 12 mins he was a +2. Did you miss that.
There is only one person who should be guarding Wemby. If they don’t do it. They will be watching Wemby in Finals.
In his 5:22 in the 1st Q vs Wemby and Kornet he was – 3. Then the rest of the game he only played vs Kornet (minute for minute).
2:07 in the 2nd Q, +4. 3:33 in the 3rd Q, +3. 0:57 in the 4th Q, -2. 0:09 in OT2, +0
He won’t start tonight. My guess is Daig will start Ajay or Wallace instead.
12 mins doesn’t decide a game. Unless you are Jalen Brunson. Thunder are not beating Spurs guarding Wemby with anyone except IHart. What part of youngest player to post 40 and 20 in playoffs don’t you get. The only chance to keeping Wemby Human is playing Chet and IHart together. That is a big key. You talk about shooting like it means something. Yet the only who show well was Caruso. And they were all open looks. That won’t happen again. Now with Fox back. It makes Wemby even more dangerous. Small is a fantasy against a real big.
You thinking you know more ball than OKC’s coach is both typical, and hilarious.
Tonight, my prediction that he only plays the Kornet minutes again will be proven right, and the usual OKC whistle advantage will be prominent against the Spurs and Wemby as OKC likely wins.
Watch and learn.
And yet you got predictions. And I got responses based on facts. I don’t care who the coach is. Small ball isn’t beating the Spurs. You need a coach to help you. That’s fine. You are 0-1 so far. That’s more hilarious. Don’t get lost tonight.
I predicted a Spurs win, so in what way am I “0-1 so far”?
Your lack of understanding why Hartenstein is a bad matchup with Wemby isn’t my fault. It’s a fact that coach Daig only played him when Kornet was in the game after the 1st Q when he was -3.
I’d say most people would agree that OKC’s championship winning coach knows ball better than you do.
“Tonight, my prediction that he only plays the Kornet minutes again will be proven right, and the usual OKC whistle advantage will be prominent against the Spurs and Wemby as OKC likely wins.”
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You’re so full of it. Here you are predicting and arguing for Thunder and their coach. And now you want the Spurs to win. Watch and learn what?? You are atwoFace.
You see who’s playing Wemby. Go figure out who you want to win this game. Looks lije the coach is listening to me.
You want to come at me cause I called Thunder D dumb on Wemby. Yet now you are coming at me telling me you want Spurs to win series. Yeah OK
You’re clearly confused. I’ve always wanted the Spurs to win, I hate floppers and they flop more than any team ever. My prediction about IHart’s minutes was wrong, but my prediction about the outcome and reason was correct, it wasn’t arguing for OKC. Here’s what happened:
OKC knew they’d get ref help, so Daig went with Hartenstein fouling Wemby from the opening tip, and when there were no calls he stuck with it.
One ref was looking right at Hartenstein’s obvious flagrant yanking Castle away from the ball BY HIS HAIR, and Brothers created a backcourt violation turnover with the replay showing his foot wasn’t close to the line. And to seal it, FTAs in the 4th Q after the spurs cut the lead to 2 pts, 10-1 OKC.
Egregious.
If that were true. Then you wouldn’t have an issue with IHart not playing. And Wemby dominating. Yet all you argued was IHart can only defend Luke.
Not one word about Wemby owning the munchkins.
Yeah you keep working bith sides …… typical of haters
He wasn’t expecting this guy of reply. Well done. Chet and Hart together lol.
Dude We talking Wemby. And tgey are sending Caruso on him. What’s that say —-
“Oh God Help Us “ pleeEAAASEeeeee
Chet is a flopping bum. No idea how he gets DPOY votes.
Was a tough game for the MVP… A lot of his go to spot shots didnt fall…
Expecting more from SGA in game 2, which will unlock most of the rest of the roster…
Chet on the other hand, Wemby has always killed his effectiveness… Is almost like Wemby took a disliking to being compared to Chet in his rookie year…
OKC need to take game 2… They will be desperate, they need to execute their game plan…
Both series that OKC was taken to 7 games last season began with them losing game 1 at home.
They won game 2 by 43 pts (!) over the Nuggets and by 15 over the Pacers.
The Spurs losing by single digits will send a message, and ofc if they win it’s over.
Tony Brothers and Josh Tiven will get OKC back on track with their usual massive ref help tonight.
If the Spurs make the desperation home game close… The Thunder will be lacking in confidence to close it out…
Well, the egregious ref help won OKC game 2, and it was certainly close.
Unfortunately the Spurs need Harper more than OKC needs JDub – the Spurs’ 3rd string PG is the way too short/old McLaughlin.
If Fox can comeback it evens out a little…
But the Spurs do need Harper…
Gonna be a hard fought series without both players…
Thanks Jalen Williams for coming back and taking out super hot Ajay.
NYK2026 🏀ING —
I was hoping for Thunder to come out the West. But it looks like the Spurs got no respect for the ONE year Wonder. Thunder answer to Wemby is IHart with 12 mins. How that work out. You think Caruso is going to save your aarrss. I suggest making plans for your vacation NOW.
NYK2026 — will be waiting 🏀ING