Following his team’s 113-104 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surprised many people.
That’s because he was caught smiling as he headed to the locker room.
Why would he be happy after falling 2-1 in the series against Denver?
Following the game, he shed some light on why he was grinning after the final buzzer.
“Some fans were taunting me. And I know how the game goes. I know how life is. It’s easy to talk when you’re up, and I don’t ever want to show them that I’m defeated or mad or anything like that. Nothing’s written. The series isn’t over,” Gilgeous-Alexander said about smiling after the game, via Clementa Almanza.
SGA on smiling after the game: “Some fans were taunting me. And I know how the game goes. I know how life is. It's easy to talk when you're up, and I don't ever want to show them that I'm defeated or mad or anything like that. Nothing's written. The series isn’t over.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 10, 2025
This was not a good night for Gilgeous-Alexander, who remains the frontrunner for MVP this year.
He put up 18 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists but shot just 7-of-22 from the field and only 1-of-6 from the three-point line.
He was a big reason why the Thunder weren’t able to overcome the Nuggets, and he’s well aware of that.
But he doesn’t believe his team should be counted out yet, and most people would agree with that.
The Thunder have been terrific all season long, and they have what it takes to win this series, even though they are down.
With that being said, that is far more likely if Gilgeous-Alexander can put together a string of good games.
The smile on his face on Friday night meant that he heard all the criticisms and taunts.
But it also meant he was ready to prove everyone wrong and remind the NBA world why his team has been the odds-on favorite to win a championship this year.
NEXT: Jimmy Butler Gets Honest About Playing With Jonathan Kuminga
