Shai Gilgeous-Alexander always lets his game do the talking.
Ever since he became the undisputed leader of Oklahoma City, it became evident that wherever SGA goes, the Thunder follow.
“Action always speaks louder than words. That’s just how I go about it,” Gilgeous-Alexander said in the aftermath of a dominant 118-84 OKC pounding of the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their Western Conference Finals duel.
"Actions always speak louder than words." 💯
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 21, 2025
SGA reflects on how he approaches leading by example 🙏
SGA overcame an early slump and tallied a game-high 31 points — including 20 in the third and fourth quarter combined — as the Thunder switched gears in the second half after a rather stagnant start.
Gilgeous-Alexander went just 2-for-13 in the first two quarters, but made eight of his final 14 field goal attempts on top of nine assists, five rebounds, and three steals.
"He [SGA] doesn't get emotional. He just plays the next play. I really thought he was in attack mode tonight,” OKC head coach Mark Daigneault raved on his superstar’s ability to just play on.
He added: "He's a very present player. He just plays the possession in front. He doesn't really change his game. He doesn't change his mindset. I thought that was on full display tonight and he was huge force.”
"He doesn't get emotional. He just plays the next play."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 21, 2025
Coach Daigneault on Shai's response in the second half tonight 👏
And once the 26-year-old superstar found his touch, it’s almost impossible to stop the MVP frontrunner.
And so are the Thunder.
OKC shot 62% in the second half after making just 15 of their 40 shots in the first two quarters. The West no. 1 seed scored 70 points in the second half, holding Minnesota star Anthony Edwards to just one attempt in the fourth and scoreless in that period.
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“For us to play as poorly as we did offensively in the first half and be down four was a major victory for us at halftime," Daigneault bared.
The Thunder recorded more assists (27-18), paint points (54-20) and fast break conversions (12-0) against a well-rested Timberwolves team. OKC also forced Minnesota to commit 19 turnovers that they translated to 31 points.
“I think defensive consistency is what we’re always gonna do. That was where we buckled down. We’re able to score a bit off turnovers and get some easy ones and from there it's cool,” Jalen Williams, who finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals said.
“We tried to play on our identity on both ends of the floor and just read and react from there. We just go out there and play to our strengths and whatever that looks like, it looks like," SGA noted.
OKC guns for a commanding 2-0 series lead when the series resumes on Friday (PH time), May 22.
