Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder moved within one win of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals at Paycom Center.
After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander repeatedly pointed to Oklahoma City’s collective response following the Thunder’s 21-point loss in Game 4. The MVP candidate finished with 32 points and nine assists, but much of his postgame press conference centered on teammates such as Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso and rookie guard Jared McCain.
“I think we just learned from our mistakes,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We learned from what we talked about as a group. And we just applied it tonight. I think that is the most important thing.”
The Thunder were held to 82 points in Sunday’s Game 4 defeat in San Antonio. On Tuesday, they reached 82 points less than four minutes into the third quarter and shot 48% from the field.
Gilgeous-Alexander credited Oklahoma City’s defensive execution after the Thunder limited Victor Wembanyama to 4-of-15 shooting.
“The most efficient shots are around the rim and you try to take that away just naturally as a defense,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “The better job you do at that the better defense you are.”
Holmgren responded with 16 points and 11 rebounds after struggling offensively earlier in the series, and Gilgeous-Alexander made it clear he never doubted the second-year big man.
“Chet has all the tools and everybody in our building and the league knows that,” he said. “He’s a hell of a player.”
“I don’t ever worry about Chet just because I know how much he loves the game, how much he cares, and how much he works,” Gilgeous-Alexander added. “I’d bet on Chet 10 times out of 10 and he proved why I would bet on him tonight.”
The Thunder also received a major lift from McCain, who made his first playoff start with Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell sidelined. McCain scored 20 points, while Caruso added 22 off the bench.
Gilgeous-Alexander said Oklahoma City’s depth and chemistry have carried the team throughout the season.
“I know wholeheartedly everyone’s intention on the basketball team is to win the game,” he said. “No other agendas. Nobody cares about anything else besides winning.”
The Thunder star also admitted he struggled early despite finishing with 32 points on 16-for-17 shooting from the free-throw line.
“The team was huge tonight,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “If it was four or five me out there, we would have been down 20 after the first quarter.”
Caruso’s impact remained another major talking point after the veteran guard recorded 22 points, six assists and three steals. Gilgeous-Alexander praised the former NBA champion for bringing postseason experience to one of the league’s youngest rosters.
“He’s one of the best competitors in the NBA night in and night out,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “He wears that and he sets that tone for us as a group.”
Now leading the series 3-2, Oklahoma City heads to San Antonio for Game 6 on Thursday with a chance to advance to the NBA Finals, where the New York Knicks await.
“We got to be ready,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Obviously a really good team and a really tough environment to go out there and win with their season on the line.”
