Basketball Forever: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander STRIKES AGAIN with 31 PTS, 6 REB, 7 AST, 2 BLK, 2 STL as the Thunder beat the Nuggets 112-105 to take a 3-2 SERIES LEAD 
THIS SERIES 🍿
Source: x.com
THIS SERIES 🍿Source: x.com
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
StatMuse @statmuse
OKC’s double-digit scorers in Game 5:
31 ā SGA
18 ā J-Dub
15 ā Hartenstein
14 ā Chet
13 ā Caruso
12 ā Dort
Team effort. pic.x.com/KWjit5wqvX – 12:08 AM
OKC’s double-digit scorers in Game 5:
31 ā SGA
18 ā J-Dub
15 ā Hartenstein
14 ā Chet
13 ā Caruso
12 ā Dort
Team effort. pic.x.com/KWjit5wqvX – 12:08 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
SGA in Game 5:
31 PTS
6 REB
7 AST
2 STL
2 BLK
Headed up to Denver with a chance to win the series. pic.x.com/Vc5RDL66KH – 12:08 AM
SGA in Game 5:
31 PTS
6 REB
7 AST
2 STL
2 BLK
Headed up to Denver with a chance to win the series. pic.x.com/Vc5RDL66KH – 12:08 AM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hits the biggest bucket of his career.
Dagger bucket to put OKC up 3-2. pic.x.com/yRTwRyRYRJ – 12:07 AM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hits the biggest bucket of his career.
Dagger bucket to put OKC up 3-2. pic.x.com/yRTwRyRYRJ – 12:07 AM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
SGA nails 2 free throws.
Thunder up 111-103.
Loud City is electric.
What a 4th quarter performance from the Thunder. – 12:05 AM
SGA nails 2 free throws.
Thunder up 111-103.
Loud City is electric.
What a 4th quarter performance from the Thunder. – 12:05 AM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
The biggest moment of SGA’s career so far. The latest Jokic masterclass. What a pleasure to watch. – 12:05 AM
The biggest moment of SGA’s career so far. The latest Jokic masterclass. What a pleasure to watch. – 12:05 AM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Looks like OKC will survive. Up 111-103 with 22.2 seconds left. SGA has a moment in the fourthāfinally – 12:04 AM
Looks like OKC will survive. Up 111-103 with 22.2 seconds left. SGA has a moment in the fourthāfinally – 12:04 AM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
SGA for three and the Thunder lead 109-103….Denver is going to lose this game – 12:03 AM
SGA for three and the Thunder lead 109-103….Denver is going to lose this game – 12:03 AM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got his moment if this score holds. What a shot. – 12:02 AM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got his moment if this score holds. What a shot. – 12:02 AM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
The Nuggets defense is just horrible down the stretch. Murray, Braun, and Porter have been absolutely atrocious at gapping when trying to help on SGA, and it’s lead to easy assists. – 12:01 AM
The Nuggets defense is just horrible down the stretch. Murray, Braun, and Porter have been absolutely atrocious at gapping when trying to help on SGA, and it’s lead to easy assists. – 12:01 AM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Wow. Denver goofed on the zone for a free lob so they go back to man and SGA burns that too. Big time. – 11:59 PM
Wow. Denver goofed on the zone for a free lob so they go back to man and SGA burns that too. Big time. – 11:59 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
SGA hits a huge jumper.
And-1.
Thunder up 103-100.
2 minutes to go – 11:59 PM
SGA hits a huge jumper.
And-1.
Thunder up 103-100.
2 minutes to go – 11:59 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
My Goodness. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with an and-1 missy, and OKC has a chance to go up 3 with 2 minutes left. – 11:58 PM
My Goodness. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with an and-1 missy, and OKC has a chance to go up 3 with 2 minutes left. – 11:58 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
I’m not sure what’s happened in the last 3 weeks to make Shai think that was a good contested 3 in transition, but Dort bailed him out with an incredible hustle play. – 11:55 PM
I’m not sure what’s happened in the last 3 weeks to make Shai think that was a good contested 3 in transition, but Dort bailed him out with an incredible hustle play. – 11:55 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Those 3-point attempts by J-Dub and Shai…
OKC can’t get impatient. Take care of the ball, touch the paint, and attempt shots with confidence
Shai shot was hasty, and J-Dub shot that like a headache – 11:55 PM
Those 3-point attempts by J-Dub and Shai…
OKC can’t get impatient. Take care of the ball, touch the paint, and attempt shots with confidence
Shai shot was hasty, and J-Dub shot that like a headache – 11:55 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
If SGA got that foul…my goodness, would there be some discussions. Further proof, it is never about the refs for either side. It is just about the laundry that benefits from a call – 11:55 PM
If SGA got that foul…my goodness, would there be some discussions. Further proof, it is never about the refs for either side. It is just about the laundry that benefits from a call – 11:55 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
HUGE save by Lu Dort to save the possession from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s step-back triple attempt. It allows OKC to tie the game and Denver to call another timeout. – 11:53 PM
HUGE save by Lu Dort to save the possession from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s step-back triple attempt. It allows OKC to tie the game and Denver to call another timeout. – 11:53 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Timeout OKC, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the table to check in down 9. 10:10 left before an elimination game (for someone) in Denver. – 11:36 PM
Timeout OKC, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the table to check in down 9. 10:10 left before an elimination game (for someone) in Denver. – 11:36 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
FGs made, 3rd quarter of Game 5 at OKC
– JokiÄ: 5/6
– Shai: 5/7
– Jamal: 5/10
– J-Dub: 0/3 – 11:32 PM
FGs made, 3rd quarter of Game 5 at OKC
– JokiÄ: 5/6
– Shai: 5/7
– Jamal: 5/10
– J-Dub: 0/3 – 11:32 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Through 3 quarters of Game 5 at Oklahoma City
Nikola JokiÄ is outscoring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 31-21 in a game that the Nuggets lead by 8 points – 11:29 PM
Through 3 quarters of Game 5 at Oklahoma City
Nikola JokiÄ is outscoring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 31-21 in a game that the Nuggets lead by 8 points – 11:29 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
86-78 after 3. Jokic with 31-12-5. Murray with 24. SGA with 21-5-4.
Chet has to be more aggressive here. When he has, itās been loud – 11:29 PM
86-78 after 3. Jokic with 31-12-5. Murray with 24. SGA with 21-5-4.
Chet has to be more aggressive here. When he has, itās been loud – 11:29 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
SGA gets to āshow the foulā all he wants to but when Jokic does it he gets called for an offensive foul for no reason – 11:23 PM
SGA gets to āshow the foulā all he wants to but when Jokic does it he gets called for an offensive foul for no reason – 11:23 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Second time Russell Westbrook has made a dive at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander this series. The Paycom Center is boo’ing – 11:22 PM
Second time Russell Westbrook has made a dive at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander this series. The Paycom Center is boo’ing – 11:22 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Out of the timeout OKC is rolling with
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Cason Wallace
Alex Caruso
Chet Holmgren
Jaylin Williams – 11:19 PM
Out of the timeout OKC is rolling with
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Cason Wallace
Alex Caruso
Chet Holmgren
Jaylin Williams – 11:19 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Great job by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to punch the gap and get his fourth bucket of the third frame. OKC down 1. – 11:10 PM
Great job by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to punch the gap and get his fourth bucket of the third frame. OKC down 1. – 11:10 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
SGA comes out of the half hitting at all his usual spots.
Drive to the rim
Drive to the rim
Midrange jumper
But Nuggets keep answering.
Thunder down 63-66. – 11:08 PM
SGA comes out of the half hitting at all his usual spots.
Drive to the rim
Drive to the rim
Midrange jumper
But Nuggets keep answering.
Thunder down 63-66. – 11:08 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Jokic is cooking. So is Shai. The MVPās know whatās at stake here – 11:06 PM
Jokic is cooking. So is Shai. The MVPās know whatās at stake here – 11:06 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Jamal Murray continues to make timely buckets for Denver, the Nuggets call a timeout as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has another bucket his third in this frame. – 11:06 PM
Jamal Murray continues to make timely buckets for Denver, the Nuggets call a timeout as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has another bucket his third in this frame. – 11:06 PM
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
Nuggets didnāt close that 2nd quarter off well and it possibly can cost them game. Because SGA didnāt have any life until the end of the FH. Will be interesting to see the start of this 3rd quarter – 10:48 PM
Nuggets didnāt close that 2nd quarter off well and it possibly can cost them game. Because SGA didnāt have any life until the end of the FH. Will be interesting to see the start of this 3rd quarter – 10:48 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
OKC hasnāt really gotten anything clean in the set offense. And Shai has had a rough start. Yet, the trail by one – 10:36 PM
OKC hasnāt really gotten anything clean in the set offense. And Shai has had a rough start. Yet, the trail by one – 10:36 PM
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
Braun defense on SGA has been impressive as hell in this series – 10:33 PM
Braun defense on SGA has been impressive as hell in this series – 10:33 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Thunder down 27-28 after the 1st quarter.
Jalen Williams team high 9 points.
SGA usually plays the whole 1st but checked out early. Assume he will play most the 2nd quarter. – 10:15 PM
Thunder down 27-28 after the 1st quarter.
Jalen Williams team high 9 points.
SGA usually plays the whole 1st but checked out early. Assume he will play most the 2nd quarter. – 10:15 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
End of the first quarter: The Nuggets lead OKC 28-27….The Thunder tweaked their rotation, resting SGA in the middle of the quarter instead of playing him all 12 minutes. He will now play against Denver’s second unit, for the first time in the series….Non-Jokic minutes – 10:14 PM
End of the first quarter: The Nuggets lead OKC 28-27….The Thunder tweaked their rotation, resting SGA in the middle of the quarter instead of playing him all 12 minutes. He will now play against Denver’s second unit, for the first time in the series….Non-Jokic minutes – 10:14 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins in the game taking off Lu Dort and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 10:06 PM
Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins in the game taking off Lu Dort and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 10:06 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Thunder starters vs Nuggets
SGA
Dort
JDub
Chet
Hartenstein
Round 2. Game 5. – 9:02 PM
Thunder starters vs Nuggets
SGA
Dort
JDub
Chet
Hartenstein
Round 2. Game 5. – 9:02 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Thunder starters vs. Nuggets Game 5
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Lu Dort
Jalen Williams
Chet Holmgren
Isaiah Hartenstein – 9:01 PM
Thunder starters vs. Nuggets Game 5
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Lu Dort
Jalen Williams
Chet Holmgren
Isaiah Hartenstein – 9:01 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
SGA makes his entrance for Game 5.
Biggest game in OKC since 2016. pic.x.com/RQD16XZ4Od – 7:45 PM
SGA makes his entrance for Game 5.
Biggest game in OKC since 2016. pic.x.com/RQD16XZ4Od – 7:45 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
My man ā¦@Jason1Goffā© wanted to see OKC go down 3-1 to see if it would pull the best out of SGA
🍎:Ā tinyurl.com/599ut5zv
📺:Ā Ā youtu.be/TIpo6rtMaNw
: open.spotify.com/episode/5V1kw8ā¦ pic.x.com/iGj93V8wP7 – 1:27 PM
My man ā¦@Jason1Goffā© wanted to see OKC go down 3-1 to see if it would pull the best out of SGA
🍎:Ā tinyurl.com/599ut5zv
📺:Ā Ā youtu.be/TIpo6rtMaNw
: open.spotify.com/episode/5V1kw8ā¦ pic.x.com/iGj93V8wP7 – 1:27 PM
More on this storyline
While the pressures of Game 4 and struggles of Game 3 were in Gilgeous-Alexanderās mind, the calm-under-pressure fashion aficionado was even-keeled about it all. āI live with my experiences,ā Gilgeous-Alexander said. āI didnāt make shots when I should have. But I didnāt shy away from the moment. Thatās what itās really about. You canāt always control the makes and misses. Michael Jordan has had a game where he didnāt close and heās the best ever. āIf he can do that, why canāt I? You roll with the punches. You try to get better looks than they can. You try to make those shots.ā While the pressures of Game 4 and struggles of Game 3 were in Gilgeous-Alexanderās mind, the calm-under-pressure fashion aficionado was even-keeled about it all. -via Andscape / May 12, 2025
After Gilgeous-Alexander stepped up in the most daunting challenge of this otherwise stellar season, the Western Conferenceās top seed evened the best-of-seven series at 2-2. āFor myself, more than anything, every occasion, every moment, the player that I want to be when itās all said and done is a player that relishes that [challenge], embraces that and conquers that,ā Gilgeous-Alexander said to Andscape. āIf I want to be that guy, I canāt run from it. So, I put that on myself. I put that on my shoulders. And I expect myself to step up in those situations. If I donāt, I get back to work and do it all over again.ā -via Andscape / May 12, 2025
Regardless of the MVP outcome, Jokic and Antetokounmpo have accomplished something Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still striving for: winning an NBA championship. Oklahoma City hasnāt won an NBA title since the franchise moved from Seattle in 2008. As beautiful as it would be to win MVP, being Finals MVP with a championship is much more appealing to the Thunder star. āThatās what itās always been about for me,ā Gilgeous-Alexander said about his quest to win a title. āItās not even about anything else. From the owner to the GM to the coach, everybody wants to win. And thatās all that matters. āIām no different. (Thunder owner) Clay Bennett wants to win. (Thunder general manager) Sam Presti wants to win. They want to do everything in their power to help this team win. And thatās all I try to do.ā -via Andscape / May 12, 2025
