Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may have won another MVP award, but after Oklahoma City’s season ended against the Spurs, he made it clear none of the individual accomplishments mattered to him.
“I failed at my goal,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the Thunder’s Game 7 loss. “I didn’t achieve what I wanted to achieve. But I learn the most about myself and make the greatest amount of increases in my career when I fail and don’t get what I want.”
The Thunder entered the playoffs chasing back-to-back championships, but Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs ended those hopes in brutal fashion.
Despite averaging over 31 points per game during the regular season, Gilgeous-Alexander struggled to find his usual efficiency throughout the Western Conference Finals.
He averaged 25.9 points while shooting 40.9 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from three across the seven-game series.
San Antonio’s defense completely changed the equation.
“There’s a guy on their back line that is a little bit different,” Gilgeous-Alexander said about Wembanyama. “They funnel everything to him. … It’s a really good defense. But it’s not impossible to score. I just think it’s very different.”
The Spurs threw Stephon Castle at Gilgeous-Alexander on the perimeter while Wembanyama erased the paint behind him, forcing Oklahoma City into difficult shots all series long.
Even with the pressure, SGA nearly carried the Thunder across the finish line in Game 7, scoring 35 points on 21 shots.
But Oklahoma City was severely short-handed.
Jalen Williams aggravated his hamstring injury early in the series and managed just limited minutes before eventually missing Game 7 entirely.
“Obviously I think I could have made an impact,” Williams said. “I think we could have won if I played. Went to seven with them without me playing. I don’t think I make us worse.”
Chet Holmgren also struggled badly against Wembanyama, averaging just 10.7 points during the series.
Still, Gilgeous-Alexander refused to place blame anywhere else.
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