Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, in winning time, was at his best in Thunder’s sweep of Grizzlies

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Before breaking through in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 117-115, series-clinching Game 4 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had scored 73 points combined on 68 shots in the first three contests. His 35 percent shooting ranked last among the 10 Thunder players who appeared in every game — not exactly a stat anyone would have predicted entering the series.

But in winning time Saturday, the Thunder star and MVP finalist was at his best.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 38 points to lead the Thunder to a series sweep and a second-round date with the winner between the LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets. Whichever team emerges will contend with a well-rested Thunder squad whose best player might have just hit his stride.

It’s not that Gilgeous-Alexander — or anyone with the Thunder — ever worried about his uncharacteristic inefficiency. But what he gained from this breezy series was one more repetition in overcoming it. The Thunder like to call it building muscle.

“I’m impressed with my level to stay with it,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “In the past, I for sure would have turned down the aggressiveness a little bit. I made a jump as far as that this year. That’s something that I’m definitely proud of. I try not to focus on the results and just focus on my mental development, and I think I’ve taken a step forward in that. I had a night like (Saturday) because of it. In the past, I definitely would have shied away from the moment because of where my shooting was headed.”

In the first three games, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 24.3 points on 22.7 shots per game. He made only 6 of 24 3-pointers. Throughout the series, though, he said his shots felt good.

“The ball just wasn’t going through the hoop,” he said. “(Saturday), the ball just went through the hoop.”

In Game 4, Gilgeous-Alexander made 13 of 24 shots and 11 of 13 free throws. He started 7-for-7, scoring 16 first-quarter points on a series of midrange jumpers, slithery drives and crafty finishes. One noticeable change, although he said it wasn’t intentional, was Gilgeous-Alexander’s shot profile. Through three quarters, he attempted only one 3-pointer. Instead of settling, or even taking what the defense gave him, Gilgeous-Alexander took what he wanted, from only the spots he sought.

“Yeah, I think I’ve taken a step mentally,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “But I think I’ve done so all season. And it paid off in a moment in a night where we needed it. And that’s what it’s about: just getting it done. And because I stayed true to who I’ve become and who I’ve developed into, we got a W.”

It was a masterful performance, one in which Gilgeous-Alexander was in control throughout. It also served as a reminder that the slippery scorer always lurks as a lethal closer. His final two buckets proved as much and showcased his increased mental fortitude.

First, he splashed in his lone 3-pointer on a stepback so cold-blooded that he shook Grizzlies guard Vince Williams Jr., putting him in a spin cycle so vicious it forced a switch. When the late-arriving Jaren Jackson Jr. closed out, it was too late. The basket gave the Thunder their largest lead of the game at 12 with 3:37 remaining.

Because the Grizzlies wouldn’t go away quietly, even with star guard Ja Morant sidelined with a hip injury he suffered in Game 3, Gilgeous-Alexander’s final bucket won’t go down as the dagger. But it was every bit as pivotal.

With the Thunder ahead by 3 inside the final 20 seconds, Gilgeous-Alexander dribbled high above the 3-point arc against Williams. He weaved the ball between his legs four times, working his way to the top of the key. He started right, spun left and, again, stepped back — bang. The 5-point lead all but put a bow on the game and the series.

The shot that sealed the deal 🤝 pic.twitter.com/s62QGTXo6D

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 26, 2025

“I don’t feel like my mindset was any different,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Every night, I step on the floor to be the best version of myself. And I hadn’t been in the past, but (Saturday), I was pretty close to it. I think because I kept the same mindset, it allowed me to play free. I didn’t have to waiver or click in and click out of a mind frame. I was just stuck in that same aggressiveness throughout the series.”

Gilgeous-Alexander added five rebounds and six assists against only one turnover in 38 minutes. His security helped the Thunder dominate the turnover category, winning it 22-8. Oklahoma City scored 32 points off turnovers in Game 4 and 103 in the series.

Even when Gilgeous-Alexander struggled with his shooting, his passing remained on point. He consistently found open shooters in corners, and equally impressive was the way he played aggressively Saturday without ever forcing his own offense. When he faced double-teams, he quickly made the right reads and trusted his teammates. Over the four games, Gilgeous-Alexander registered 24 assists against eight turnovers.

“He was pretty consistent with his floor game in all these games,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “The way he played didn’t change, and that’s really what we’re focused on. I thought he had some makeable stuff in some of these early games that he missed, but I didn’t think he played any different. I just think he got into a groove today and last game.”

It’s a testament to the sensational season Gilgeous-Alexander crafted that his shooting woes were even a question in this series. He has established such a high bar that it’s a surprise when he has an off-shooting night. Three of them in a row might as well be considered a slump by Gilgeous-Alexander’s standards.

“I don’t know where this ups-and-downs thing is coming from,” Thunder forward Chet Holmgren said. “I think he played a helluva series. I feel like he was out there making the right reads. Getting good looks for us. At the end of the day, you can’t judge performances based on the ball going in or not. Because whether it went in or not, we liked that shot.

“It’s an imperfect game. Shai’s never going to go 25-for-25. I hope he does. But he’s probably not going to go 25-for-25 in a game. He was making the right plays all series, making the right reads, trusting people. That’s been really helpful not only for myself but for Dub (Jalen Williams), everybody down the list. I don’t see that changing. He’s going to continue to play great. And when that ball’s going in at a high clip, you guys are going to be up here asking me how special he was that night. So it’s going to be good to see when it happens.”

(Photo: Justin Ford / Getty Images)

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