Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been labeled a “free-throw merchant” and a “foul artist,” among other things, but the best way to describe the Thunder star is by three simple letters: MVP.
The Timberwolves threw everything but the kitchen sink at SGA — blitzes, traps, box-and-ones — but couldn’t stop him from dominating Monday’s Game 4. The impressive aspect was that he didn’t force anything. After being held to just 14 points in Game 3, he made a concerted effort to be patient, looking for teammates out of double teams and giving up the ball early to avoid being hounded in crowds. But whenever Minnesota’s defense let him off the hook, albeit briefly, SGA got to his desired midrange spots and made them pay.
SGA’s calming presence helped Thunder fend off several Timberwolves runs in hostile territory. He finished just one rebound shy of a 40-point triple-double, placing his team on the brink of the NBA Finals. The Toronto native’s playoff career-high scoring night allowed him to join an exclusive club occupied only by Bulls great Michael Jordan.
