SUMMARY
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted for 34 points against the Mavericks in Game 4 for the victory.
- OKC narrowly escaped a 3-1 deficit and Chet Holmgren couldn't have been any happier to watch SGA perform.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stole the spotlight during Game 4 against the Dallas Mavericks. The Oklahoma City Thunder were trailing behind the Mavericks almost throughout the game except for the fourth quarter. Dallas had too many missed free throws which also played a huge factor in their loss. But once again, OKC managed to pull off a double-digit deficit comeback as SGA scored 8 points during the closing minutes.
Chet Holmgren couldn’t stop gushing over SGA during the post-game press conference as he said, “There’s some points in the game where I’m just being a fan of what he’s doing the same things you guys are doing. Just kinda being a fan of what he’s doing and when some of those shots go in, just kinda making a face. That’s crazy. But he’s been doing it all year. I’ve seen him go it since I got here, that’s just who he is, a tough shotmaker. But he does a lot more for us than just that.”
“There’s some points in the game where I’m just being a fan of what he’s doing… he’s been doing it all year.”
Chet Holmgren’s praise for SGA 🙌#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/wNIci5RjYd
— NBA (@NBA) May 14, 2024
Shai, who finished second in the MVP race behind Nikola Jokic made most of his shot during the final quarter from within the three-point arc. He shot 57.6% from mid-range in the regular season while making a little over 50% in the same during the playoffs.
Fans applaud Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for helping OKC avoid a 3-1 deficit
The Mavericks seemed to have gained momentum during Games 2 and 3. And considering that it was another home game, Dallas was expected to pull off a 3-1 lead. SGA erupted for 34 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks during the game. Impressively, the rest of the Thunder’s roster focused on limiting Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to under 20 points. Irving finished with yet another single-digit scoring night in the series.
Saved the season tonight. Must win playoff game and he carried the offense by himself for large stretches of the game. Really proved once and for all that he IS that guy
— Marlboro Gold Enjoyer (@UltraT0ughScene) May 14, 2024
Best player on the floor every game and it’s not close
— Cree (@HakarisupremaC) May 14, 2024
Fans were praising Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on social media after the game one X user saying, “Really proved once and for all that he IS that guy.” Another user added, “Best player on the floor every game and it’s not close.” Game 4 wasn’t even OKC’s best performance in terms of shooting. They averaged 38% from the field and a lackluster 25.9% from deep. OKC would have shot 100% from the free-throw line if Holmgren hadn’t missed one of his attempts. The rookie standout finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks, and a steal.
Charles Barkley has one issue with OKC
It is true that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carried OKC on his back during Game 4, and maybe it worked out well this time. Charles Barkley did not fail to address that OKC needs to prepare in a better way to surpass the Mavericks in the upcoming games. Had the Mavericks shot better from the line, Game 4 would have had a completely different outcome.
Barkley said, “I still think they gotta do a better job of moving the ball. I think they’re going a little too much one-on-one. And they got lucky tonight because Luka and Kyrie had a bad game. But they’re not playing the same way they played earlier in the playoffs. The ball was hot and moving they got to work on that.” It is possible that OKC tends to stick to giving SGA the ball when he’s found a rhythm as it tends to be a safer way of getting the score up. But repeated routines always get countered over time, which is why Barkley’s comments stand as serious advice.