Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a candid assessment after the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Game 7 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals, acknowledging the decisive nature of the defeat and the consistency of the opposition.
“They were just a better team tonight from start to finish,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Every time we tried to cut into it and take control of the game, it felt like they had an answer.”
He pointed to San Antonio’s execution under pressure as a defining factor in the result. “A lot of times it felt like tough shot making, so hats off to them. They played better each night and they deserve to win.”
The Spurs’ late-series resilience was a recurring theme in his comments, especially in how they responded to Thunder runs throughout the game. Oklahoma City had multiple chances to shift momentum but could not sustain control long enough to complete a turnaround.
Gilgeous-Alexander also addressed the broader difficulty of sustaining success in the league, especially after a championship season. “Winning an NBA championship is very hard in itself to do it one time. To do it all over again would only make it harder,” he said. “So many things go into it. Sometimes it’s things you can’t control. It’s a hard task to do one time. To do it twice would only make it even more challenging.”
The Thunder guard highlighted San Antonio’s structure and long-term potential when discussing the matchup. “They’re young, they’re talented, well coached. They play the right way, play together,” he said. “They have the makeup for sure. You don’t beat us without the makeup and they beat us. So they have the makeup to go get one.”
Despite the disappointment, Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized a forward-looking approach for Oklahoma City. “You use the 82 game season to figure out what the standard is and how to go get one,” he said, noting that roster dynamics and league-wide changes make long-term comparisons difficult.
He also reflected on his own performance in a game where he carried a heavy offensive load. “I didn’t really have a choice. Big game, big moment, win or go home. I just wanted to leave everything out there.”
Gilgeous-Alexander praised the Thunder’s short-handed effort across the series, particularly after injuries disrupted the rotation. “I’m so impressed by this group… those guys never got discouraged. They played their butts off,” he said.
He also credited the opposing roster’s depth and execution throughout the series. “Their supporting cast was amazing this series. Hats off to them. They were big time.”
Looking ahead, he emphasized internal reflection rather than external targeting. “We just didn’t get it done in the biggest game of the series,” he said. “Go back and watch games we had success. Why did we have success? Try to duplicate those things next season.”
On the Spurs’ evolving identity and star presence, Gilgeous-Alexander kept the focus on the collective challenge. “They’re a really good group. Obviously he’s the head of that snake… but it’s more than just one guy out there. They’re a really good basketball team.”
He closed his media availability by acknowledging the fan base’s support after the final buzzer. “It’s amazing to know that no matter what, they have our backs,” he said. “Oklahoma really feels like home for me and my family.”
