Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander explained his strange reaction to the team’s overtime loss on Friday.
The Thunder fell to the Denver Nuggets in overtime, 113-104, in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals at Ball Arena in Denver, Co. on Friday. Despite the defeat, Gilgeous-Alexander was seen with a big smile on his face as he left the floor.
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 10, 2025
The reaction rubbed some the wrong way, but after the game, Gilgeous-Alexander explained that he was reacting to taunting from Denver fans.
“Some fans were taunting me,” Gilgeous-Alexander explained. “I know how the game goes. I know how life is. It’s easy to taunt when you’re up. I don’t ever want to show them that I’m defeated or mad or anything like that. Nothing’s written. The series is not over. We have a lot to be optimistic about.”
"Some fans were taunting me… It's easy to taunt when you're up." 👀
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 10, 2025
SGA explains why he was smiling as he walked off the court in Game 3 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/bGms8Ty7qK
It is easy to understand why many would be unimpressed with Gilgeous-Alexander’s reaction. The Thunder are down 2-1 in the series and lost both games late after leading. This is the most adversity they have faced all season, and to some, it looks like the team’s star player is just shrugging it off.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s reaction came after a particularly poor game by his standards. He scored 18 points with 13 rebounds and seven assists, but shot just 7/22 and 1/6 from three in the defeat.
