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It’s been a season to remember for former Kentucky guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
He was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player and then led Oklahoma City to the NBA Finals following Wednesday night’s 124-94 romp of Minnesota in the Western Conference finals. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points, dished out eight assists, and had seven rebounds in a Game 5 blowout.
“It’s a lot of hard work,” he said. “To make it this late in the season. The ups and downs, the emotions of the playoffs. It’s important to be grateful and enjoy the moment. You never know how many times (things like this) are going to happen. It’s also very important to know that we have more work to do. I think this group is a perfect group to tackle that mentally.”
Gilgeous-Alexander set the tone for the convincing win over the Timberwolves and scored 12 points and had five assists in the first quarter as Oklahoma City took a 26-9 lead. The Thunder led 65-32 at halftime and 88-62 heading into the fourth quarter.
“He just set an unbelievable tone,” Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said. “I think he understood his role in our mentality. He was a participant in that, and he was a leader in that. He was ready to play from the jump.”
Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t want the series to return to Minnesota in a possible Game 6 scenario, which Oklahoma City avoided with the 4-1 series win over Minnesota.
“I know I wanted two things,” he said. “I didn’t want to go back to Minnesota. And then I wanted the fans to be able to enjoy the moment with us. I wanted them to be able to see it unfold (before) their eyes. I wanted them to celebrate tonight in our building.”
During the five-game series, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.4 points per game, 8.2 assists, and 5.2 rebounds. For those efforts, he received the prestigious Magic Johnson Trophy, given to the MVP of the Western Conference finals.
“I think he does a great job of playing aggressive and then letting the game tell him what the right play is,” Oklahoma City forward Chet Holmgren said. “Sometimes that’s to score, sometimes that’s to pass. But you never really feel like watching him or playing with him — you never feel like he made the wrong read.”
Oklahoma City will take on the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals in a best-of-seven series that will begin on June 5. Indiana holds a 3-1 edge over the New York Knicks. Game 5 is set for tonight.
“We have to be the best version of ourselves for four nights to reach the ultimate goal,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We understand that, we know that, and that’s what we’re focused on.
