Clemente Almanza: SGA on Kobe: “Probably my favorite player of all time. Never had the chance to meet him.”
Source: x.com
Source: x.com
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Jaime Jaquez Jr. asked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander how he balances staying aggressive and getting his teammates involved, SGA mentioned the game telling him what to do: pic.x.com/RYepm5pQBt – 1:44 PM
Jaime Jaquez Jr. asked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander how he balances staying aggressive and getting his teammates involved, SGA mentioned the game telling him what to do: pic.x.com/RYepm5pQBt – 1:44 PM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
PMers: Tyrese Haliburton will get the accolades for his latest game-winner, in Game 1 of the Finals. But Indy’s Andrew Nembhard saved the day, with great play in crunch time, including a stop on the NBA’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In @TheAthletic:
nytimes.com/athletic/64074… – 6:03 PM
PMers: Tyrese Haliburton will get the accolades for his latest game-winner, in Game 1 of the Finals. But Indy’s Andrew Nembhard saved the day, with great play in crunch time, including a stop on the NBA’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In @TheAthletic:
nytimes.com/athletic/64074… – 6:03 PM
Tom Haberstroh @tomhaberstroh
NEW @YahooSports: Tyrese Haliburton is now 13-of-15 (87%) on shots to tie or go ahead in the final 2:00 of games this season.
SGA is 0-for-7 on such shots.
More: sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/ye… pic.x.com/YvRGGezBUq – 3:27 PM
NEW @YahooSports: Tyrese Haliburton is now 13-of-15 (87%) on shots to tie or go ahead in the final 2:00 of games this season.
SGA is 0-for-7 on such shots.
More: sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/ye… pic.x.com/YvRGGezBUq – 3:27 PM
Lev Akabas @LevAkabas
Canada has more NBA players than any non-US country
Four of them are playing in the NBA Finals: SGA, Dort, Nembhard, and Mathurin pic.x.com/T1fNvlHbBT – 11:05 AM
Canada has more NBA players than any non-US country
Four of them are playing in the NBA Finals: SGA, Dort, Nembhard, and Mathurin pic.x.com/T1fNvlHbBT – 11:05 AM
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder seek answers after letting Game 1 slip away nytimes.com/athletic/64073… – 9:28 AM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder seek answers after letting Game 1 slip away nytimes.com/athletic/64073… – 9:28 AM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
Tyrese Haliburton, rightly, will get the accolades for his latest game-winner, in Game 1 of the Finals. But Indy’s Andrew Nembhard saved the day, with great play in crunch time, including a stop on the NBA’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In @TheAthletic:
nytimes.com/athletic/64074… – 7:00 AM
Tyrese Haliburton, rightly, will get the accolades for his latest game-winner, in Game 1 of the Finals. But Indy’s Andrew Nembhard saved the day, with great play in crunch time, including a stop on the NBA’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In @TheAthletic:
nytimes.com/athletic/64074… – 7:00 AM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Felt good, didn’t go in. We need to be better in Game 2 sportando.basketball/en/shai-gilgeo… – 1:50 AM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Felt good, didn’t go in. We need to be better in Game 2 sportando.basketball/en/shai-gilgeo… – 1:50 AM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
watching the clutch minutes back and that sequence of pascal blocking sga and then getting the putback on nembhard’s miss was sooooo huge – 12:40 AM
watching the clutch minutes back and that sequence of pascal blocking sga and then getting the putback on nembhard’s miss was sooooo huge – 12:40 AM
Micah Adams @MAdamsStatGuy
Tyrese Haliburton is the ONLY player with three go-ahead shots in the final 5 seconds in a single postseason.
He’s got more of those in the 2025 postseason than Kobe Bryant had in his entire career.
Since play-by-play began in 96, LeBron is only player with more than Hali. – 11:47 PM
Tyrese Haliburton is the ONLY player with three go-ahead shots in the final 5 seconds in a single postseason.
He’s got more of those in the 2025 postseason than Kobe Bryant had in his entire career.
Since play-by-play began in 96, LeBron is only player with more than Hali. – 11:47 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
OKC wins TO battle 24-6 and takes 16 more shots & gets 38 points from SGA (and five 3s from Lu Dort) and still lose because the Pacers wouldn’t let go of the rope and Haliburton is cash at the buzzer. Pacers win 111-110 after trailing every minute of the game. Wild. – 11:12 PM
OKC wins TO battle 24-6 and takes 16 more shots & gets 38 points from SGA (and five 3s from Lu Dort) and still lose because the Pacers wouldn’t let go of the rope and Haliburton is cash at the buzzer. Pacers win 111-110 after trailing every minute of the game. Wild. – 11:12 PM
Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
The Thunder had 18 fewer turnovers. OKC took 3 more FTs. They took 15 more shots within 4 feet of the rim. Committed 3 fewer fouls. Had a 15 point lead in the 4th quarter. SGA had 38 points. And OKC still lost. – 11:11 PM
The Thunder had 18 fewer turnovers. OKC took 3 more FTs. They took 15 more shots within 4 feet of the rim. Committed 3 fewer fouls. Had a 15 point lead in the 4th quarter. SGA had 38 points. And OKC still lost. – 11:11 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
SGA in Game 1:
38 PTS
5 REB
3 STL
The most points in a Finals debut since AI in 2001. pic.x.com/UF11tNgN5s – 11:08 PM
SGA in Game 1:
38 PTS
5 REB
3 STL
The most points in a Finals debut since AI in 2001. pic.x.com/UF11tNgN5s – 11:08 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Pacers have their first lead with 0.3 seconds left.
Haliburton again from the right side after a SGA miss. – 11:04 PM
Pacers have their first lead with 0.3 seconds left.
Haliburton again from the right side after a SGA miss. – 11:04 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Man that is a great job by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to split the blitz, kicks to Jalen Williams who had a great fake pass for an open 3 and just missed it. Its a make or miss league and right now Indy is making more from 3. 3 Point game. – 10:57 PM
Man that is a great job by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to split the blitz, kicks to Jalen Williams who had a great fake pass for an open 3 and just missed it. Its a make or miss league and right now Indy is making more from 3. 3 Point game. – 10:57 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Haha Siakam pretended to tie his shoe in front of the free throw line to give the bench more time to consider challenging the foul. Haliburton signaled that his arm was held.
Instead, two FTs for SGA (32pts). – 10:52 PM
Haha Siakam pretended to tie his shoe in front of the free throw line to give the bench more time to consider challenging the foul. Haliburton signaled that his arm was held.
Instead, two FTs for SGA (32pts). – 10:52 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
That is just a tough bucket by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hellbent on getting to the rim and steadying this thing for OKC. – 10:51 PM
That is just a tough bucket by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hellbent on getting to the rim and steadying this thing for OKC. – 10:51 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
SGA has scored 30 points in every NBA Finals game of his career. – 10:48 PM
SGA has scored 30 points in every NBA Finals game of his career. – 10:48 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
SGA just taking his 2nd trip to the free throw line with 6 minutes to go in the game. – 10:47 PM
SGA just taking his 2nd trip to the free throw line with 6 minutes to go in the game. – 10:47 PM
Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
Alex Caruso is in the @CaitlinClark22 Kobe 5 PEs tonight to begin the NBA Finals.
These are expected to release in late June. pic.x.com/hRGtbfG8kk – 10:44 PM
Alex Caruso is in the @CaitlinClark22 Kobe 5 PEs tonight to begin the NBA Finals.
These are expected to release in late June. pic.x.com/hRGtbfG8kk – 10:44 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
That was great work by Pacers in between timeouts. Caruso beat Toppin for a difficult bucket through a foul, but he failed to complete the 3-point play
Before that, Nembhard and-one on Caruso and made his FT, while Toppin/Turner uncorked 3s
Time for SGA and Holmgren to return. – 10:44 PM
That was great work by Pacers in between timeouts. Caruso beat Toppin for a difficult bucket through a foul, but he failed to complete the 3-point play
Before that, Nembhard and-one on Caruso and made his FT, while Toppin/Turner uncorked 3s
Time for SGA and Holmgren to return. – 10:44 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Alex Caruso pulls his best SGA impression with a driving, falling down, ridiculous And-1 bucket. – 10:39 PM
Alex Caruso pulls his best SGA impression with a driving, falling down, ridiculous And-1 bucket. – 10:39 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
OKC is +18 in the possession battle through 3 quarters
But they might want Jalen Williams/Chet Holmgren to discover the bucket with SGA on the bench – 10:28 PM
OKC is +18 in the possession battle through 3 quarters
But they might want Jalen Williams/Chet Holmgren to discover the bucket with SGA on the bench – 10:28 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Huge triple by SGA right before the buzzer. Siakam hit a corner 3 to bring the deficit to six.
The score stands at 85-76 entering the fourth. SGA with 28. Siakam with 16.
Only 3 turnovers in the third for the Pacers – 10:25 PM
Huge triple by SGA right before the buzzer. Siakam hit a corner 3 to bring the deficit to six.
The score stands at 85-76 entering the fourth. SGA with 28. Siakam with 16.
Only 3 turnovers in the third for the Pacers – 10:25 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Huge momentum 3 from SGA (28pts) to close the 3Q. Instead of a six-point game, OKC’s lead is nine, 85-76. Yet it doesn’t feel close at all.
Both teams shooting above 41% from range. Siakam with 8 of his 16pts in the 3Q.
Just 2TOs by each team. – 10:24 PM
Huge momentum 3 from SGA (28pts) to close the 3Q. Instead of a six-point game, OKC’s lead is nine, 85-76. Yet it doesn’t feel close at all.
Both teams shooting above 41% from range. Siakam with 8 of his 16pts in the 3Q.
Just 2TOs by each team. – 10:24 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
SGA hits a 3 at the 3rd quarter buzzer.
Feels big after the Pacers got it down to just 6 points.
Thunder up 85-76.
12 minutes to go. – 10:24 PM
SGA hits a 3 at the 3rd quarter buzzer.
Feels big after the Pacers got it down to just 6 points.
Thunder up 85-76.
12 minutes to go. – 10:24 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
The Thunder have done a good job of keeping the Pacers at arms length and a big reason why is shots like that from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a pull up triple at the end of the 3rd gives OKC an 85-76 lead entering the fourth. – 10:23 PM
The Thunder have done a good job of keeping the Pacers at arms length and a big reason why is shots like that from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a pull up triple at the end of the 3rd gives OKC an 85-76 lead entering the fourth. – 10:23 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
I’m sorry, but SGA shooting 8-18 from the field does not qualify as “they have no answer for the MVP.” – 9:43 PM
I’m sorry, but SGA shooting 8-18 from the field does not qualify as “they have no answer for the MVP.” – 9:43 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
MVP sequence on those final 2 plays of the half by SGA. Should’ve made it 14. – 9:42 PM
MVP sequence on those final 2 plays of the half by SGA. Should’ve made it 14. – 9:42 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
57-45 OK, SGA with 19 (8/18), Dort with 9 (3/5 from 3). Amazing Pacers are in touch given they’ve made 18 T0s, but OKC shooting just 37% from floor. – 9:42 PM
57-45 OK, SGA with 19 (8/18), Dort with 9 (3/5 from 3). Amazing Pacers are in touch given they’ve made 18 T0s, but OKC shooting just 37% from floor. – 9:42 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Pacers down 57-45 at the break. Thunder took 18 more shots as the Pacers committed 19 turnovers (but only for 9pts) — including 6 in a row over 1:35. Their playoff-high FOR A GAME is 20, vs NYK.
SGA has 19pts. IND antsy early, then Thunder had active hands + were everywhere – 9:41 PM
Pacers down 57-45 at the break. Thunder took 18 more shots as the Pacers committed 19 turnovers (but only for 9pts) — including 6 in a row over 1:35. Their playoff-high FOR A GAME is 20, vs NYK.
SGA has 19pts. IND antsy early, then Thunder had active hands + were everywhere – 9:41 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 1st half
19 PTS
2-5 3PT
4 REB
2 STL
1 BLK
1 TO
+15 – 9:41 PM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 1st half
19 PTS
2-5 3PT
4 REB
2 STL
1 BLK
1 TO
+15 – 9:41 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
57-45 at the half.
19, yes 19 turnovers for a pretty sure handed team in just 24 minutes of play.
SGA with 19 for OKC – 9:40 PM
57-45 at the half.
19, yes 19 turnovers for a pretty sure handed team in just 24 minutes of play.
SGA with 19 for OKC – 9:40 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Thunder going small.
SGA
Wallace
Dort
Caruso
JDub
And immediately cause a 24 second shot clock violation. – 9:34 PM
Thunder going small.
SGA
Wallace
Dort
Caruso
JDub
And immediately cause a 24 second shot clock violation. – 9:34 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
SGA has gotten OKC back to back stops by poking free an entry pass and drawing an offensive foul. Lu Dort’s 3 sends OKC up 10 into this INDY Timeout. – 9:29 PM
SGA has gotten OKC back to back stops by poking free an entry pass and drawing an offensive foul. Lu Dort’s 3 sends OKC up 10 into this INDY Timeout. – 9:29 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
One thing Isaiah Hartenstein does better for this group is his ability to land a screen at or near the timeline, Those high screens give OKC an advantage when he is in. Tried it there with Chet and couldn’t create contact to free up SGA going down the floor. – 9:27 PM
One thing Isaiah Hartenstein does better for this group is his ability to land a screen at or near the timeline, Those high screens give OKC an advantage when he is in. Tried it there with Chet and couldn’t create contact to free up SGA going down the floor. – 9:27 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
29-20 Thunder after 1Q and SGA being super aggressive, has 12 on 11 shots. Thunder able to contain Haliburton (1/3) while mostly staying at home (Pacers 3/9 from 3. Does not bode well. – 9:09 PM
29-20 Thunder after 1Q and SGA being super aggressive, has 12 on 11 shots. Thunder able to contain Haliburton (1/3) while mostly staying at home (Pacers 3/9 from 3. Does not bode well. – 9:09 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 1st quarter
12 PTS
1-1 3PT
2 REB
1 AST
1 STL – 9:07 PM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 1st quarter
12 PTS
1-1 3PT
2 REB
1 AST
1 STL – 9:07 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Shai gets away with “just enough”, he doesn’t fully extend the arm when pushing off. It’s effective as all get out – 9:03 PM
Shai gets away with “just enough”, he doesn’t fully extend the arm when pushing off. It’s effective as all get out – 9:03 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
My Lord, Shai. Great job taking the Hartenstein screen tight on the sideline, getting to the baseline then using his shoulder to step back and drain a middy to send INDY into a Timeout. Thunder up 10. – 9:02 PM
My Lord, Shai. Great job taking the Hartenstein screen tight on the sideline, getting to the baseline then using his shoulder to step back and drain a middy to send INDY into a Timeout. Thunder up 10. – 9:02 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
SGA patented baseline jumper gives OKC their first double digit lead.
Thunder up 25-15.
1 minute to go in the 1st quarter. – 9:02 PM
SGA patented baseline jumper gives OKC their first double digit lead.
Thunder up 25-15.
1 minute to go in the 1st quarter. – 9:02 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Thunder starters vs Pacers
SGA
Dort
Wallace 👀
JDub
Chet
NBA Finals
Game 1 – 8:06 PM
Thunder starters vs Pacers
SGA
Dort
Wallace 👀
JDub
Chet
NBA Finals
Game 1 – 8:06 PM
Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander debuts the “Masi Blue” Converse SHAI 001 for the #NBAFinals — honoring his brother Thomasi. pic.x.com/MDnreKht4W – 8:03 PM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander debuts the “Masi Blue” Converse SHAI 001 for the #NBAFinals — honoring his brother Thomasi. pic.x.com/MDnreKht4W – 8:03 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“I think he’s box office now…I’m excited to see him play.”
2008 NBA Champ Tony Allen (@aa000G9) on why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an NBA superstar, but not Tyrese Haliburton.
Hear Give and Go w @WorldWideWob & @adaniels33 every weekday at 1pm ET on NBA Radio, Ch. 86. pic.x.com/jYYDYbfBgm – 6:46 PM
“I think he’s box office now…I’m excited to see him play.”
2008 NBA Champ Tony Allen (@aa000G9) on why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an NBA superstar, but not Tyrese Haliburton.
Hear Give and Go w @WorldWideWob & @adaniels33 every weekday at 1pm ET on NBA Radio, Ch. 86. pic.x.com/jYYDYbfBgm – 6:46 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
“As a defender that is the toughest thing to go against a guy who can score from all three levels and is smart enough to get you in foul trouble.”
@ThisIsUD shares why SGA is not easy to guard
pic.x.com/naSeFLI5Hm – 4:49 PM
“As a defender that is the toughest thing to go against a guy who can score from all three levels and is smart enough to get you in foul trouble.”
@ThisIsUD shares why SGA is not easy to guard
pic.x.com/naSeFLI5Hm – 4:49 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
“These Finals don’t have star power”
SGA: MVP
Hali: 2X All Star/2X All NBA
JDub: All Star/All NBA/All Defense
Siakam: 3X All Star/2X All NBA/NBA champion
Dort: 1st Team All Defense
Chet: #2 pick/consensus budding star
Caruso: 2X All Defense/NBA champion
Wiggins: Saved Basketball – 2:17 PM
“These Finals don’t have star power”
SGA: MVP
Hali: 2X All Star/2X All NBA
JDub: All Star/All NBA/All Defense
Siakam: 3X All Star/2X All NBA/NBA champion
Dort: 1st Team All Defense
Chet: #2 pick/consensus budding star
Caruso: 2X All Defense/NBA champion
Wiggins: Saved Basketball – 2:17 PM
Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Pacers vs Thunder, Game 1 | Lakers Trio Ranking In NBA | Shaq, No Regrets With Kobe x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:00 AM
Pacers vs Thunder, Game 1 | Lakers Trio Ranking In NBA | Shaq, No Regrets With Kobe x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:00 AM
Lev Akabas @LevAkabas
0 of the top 30 most-followed NBA players on Instagram are in the Finals
SGA is 31st. Haliburton is just outside the top 50 pic.x.com/ZQsCK7cn42 – 9:00 AM
0 of the top 30 most-followed NBA players on Instagram are in the Finals
SGA is 31st. Haliburton is just outside the top 50 pic.x.com/ZQsCK7cn42 – 9:00 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“This has been a battering ram of great guards that we have faced.”
Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle reminisces with @TermineRadio and @jumpshot8 about the great backcourt players they have played this postseason as he prepares for SGA #NBAFinals pic.x.com/PfQaebrhkT – 9:25 PM
“This has been a battering ram of great guards that we have faced.”
Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle reminisces with @TermineRadio and @jumpshot8 about the great backcourt players they have played this postseason as he prepares for SGA #NBAFinals pic.x.com/PfQaebrhkT – 9:25 PM
More on this storyline
StatMuse: Only guards in NBA history to average 30/5/5 in a playoffs (over 15 GP): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant. -via x.com / June 6, 2025
Micah Adams: Tyrese Haliburton is the ONLY player with three go-ahead shots in the final 5 seconds in a single postseason. He’s got more of those in the 2025 postseason than Kobe Bryant had in his entire career. Since play-by-play began in 96, LeBron is only player with more than Hali. -via x.com / June 6, 2025
How has the commentary landed with you during the playoffs that Shai’s being a free-throw merchant? Mitchell: “I think it’s good. If nobody’s talking about you, then your team’s not doing well enough. I don’t really need to speak on it—but I will. The explanation has been put out enough. A lot of sports science people and TV analysts talk about the amount of drives he has per game and how that compares to foul-per-drive rates. He’s not even top five in the league. If you take away his free throws and everyone else’s free throws, he’s still leading the league in scoring. If you compare his free-throw rate to that of former MVPs, he’s not in the top 10. It’s not comparable to Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant or James Harden. I think people are reaching. In this era, where 3-point volume has increased, the free-throw rate has decreased. So when you have a player replicating what the game used to be with a mix of the new-school game, you’re seeing someone dominate. Players in earlier eras were doing the same thing, but more often. Because today’s game has so many more jump shots, it just looks like he’s getting more calls. But the numbers say that’s false. More players are getting fouled at a higher rate on fewer drives. That leads me to believe there are more ‘free-throw merchants’ before you even get to him.” -via Responsible Gaming / June 5, 2025
Michael Grange: “You control what you can control … There’s nothing I can do now that is a missed shot, and all I can do is try to be better the next shot.” — SGA on his miss near end of regulation in Game 1. pic.x.com/lpELYfwwPO -via Twitter @michaelgrange / June 7, 2025
Lonzo Ball on how MVP should be defined: Shai would have gotten my vote if I voted for MVP (… ) It has to be the best player on the best team. -via YouTube / June 7, 2025
