OKC Thunder came into the WCF with a point to prove. Yes, the Timberwolves had been here more recently. And if anything, they had a bigger chip on their shoulder. But it was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s first Conference Finals. You’d be willing to bet your mortgage on the fact that he’d perform like he had magic dust on his toes. And he did – blitzing through the pack of Wolves, showing us who the real alpha is. It was his 4th consecutive game with 30+ points, and 8th of the 12 playoff games he’s played this season. But while Shai took care of the offense, one clear defensive element stopped the Wolves from getting a look-in – and that was Chet Holmgren.
Chet finished the night with 15/7/3 and 2 blocks, while shooting 6-for-9 from the field. But that’s just his attacking numbers. The real look on Chet’s efforts came in the defense – where Mark Daigneault’s tactics to overcrowd the paint came to life. Holmgren and Hartenstein’s abilities to pack the paint resulted in Minnesota shooting just 29/93 from the field and 15/51 from deep. The Thunder on the other hand? 50% accuracy from the field and 52.5% from the 3PT line. For Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, that credit goes to the 7-foot-1 forward.
“When he’s his best version of himself, we’re the best version of ourselves as a unit. It’s no surprise. He affects the game at such a high level. Like from the moment he was on this basketball team, our win column went up and it’s no surprise. Like he affects the game, every night, every position at an extremely high level. And I think it’s gone under the radar a little bit how hard it is to like be a guy and then sit out for a couple months and have to integrate yourself into a team that has the best record in the NBA and not step on nobody’s toes but also still be yourself,” said SGA in the postgame sound.
Apr 21, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts to forward Chet Holmgren (7) blocking a shot by a New Orleans Pelicans player during the second quarter of game one of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
The OKC big man incurred a pelvic fracture that kept him out for nearly three months early in the season. But to see his resurgence from that to being one of their most pivotal players is a sight for sore eyes. The Minnesota native haunted his hometown heroes. He wants that first ring on his finger.
But one man’s gain is another man’s loss. And the man on the other end of the spectrum is Anthony Edwards. The Minnesota forward failed to set the stage alight, as he so effortlessly does on any other day. The future face of the NBA might’ve had a slow game this time. But Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knows that he won’t back down without a fight, especially in a 7-game series.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Anthony Edwards “He’ll play better”
The Ant-Man’s been averaging a solid 27.6/5.7/4.5 throughout the season. He was even dubbed the “King Slayer” after trampling both LeBron James’ Lakers and Stephen Curry’s Warriors in back-to-back playoff series. So for him, there was just one more man to trample before reaching the promise land. But in front of the MVP in wait, he stumbled. An 18/9/3 showing, shooting just 38.5% from the field and 37.5% from deep was a far cry from his best.
But SGA knows the game isn’t over yet. And a future Hall of Famer like Edwards will have a lot more to say in the coming games. “Good player though. He’ll play better than he played tonight. It’s a long series. We just got to be ready for whatever,” said Shai in the postgame press conference.
To be honest, you can excuse such a performance after a scary first-half moment. The 23-year-old was seen exiting the game and heading to the locker room after rolling his ankle when he landed awkwardly on a drive to the basket. Did that affect his game? “Nah,” said Ant, not making excuses for just 5 points on his return to the court after the injury. So what had to improve? “Probably just get off the ball a little more. Play without the ball. I think that will be the answer, because playing on the ball, they’re just going to double and sit in the gaps all day. We’ve gotta go watch some film and pick it apart. We’ll figure it out,” said Edwards after the game.
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES
Mark Daigneault’s Thunder are bound to switch up their tactics for the games to come. But whatever the plan of action, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren will be at the center of it all. And they’ll have a bigger issue at hand. Because Anthony Edwards shines most when his back’s up against the wall.
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