After a poor performance to open the series, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander humbled the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. While SGA seemed to have found his rhythm, he detected the real issue with his Game 1 performance.

The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the Western Conference without losing a single contest. However, they looked vulnerable against the Spurs, both in Game 1 and the regular season. The two-time MVP scored 24 points on 7 of 23 shooting from the field. After Game 2 win, SGA blamed his Game 1 performance on the long break between the second-round and Western Conference Finals series.

“I just have sucked when I get too long of a break,” Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters on Wednesday. “I guess I gotta do a better job with my breaks.”

SGA opened his playoff performance with just 25 points on just 27.8% shooting. But the reigning MVP closed the series averaging 28.8 points while shooting 55.1% from the field. 

His production dropped significantly during the second round. The Thunder took the court after eight days. Although the Thunder swept the Lakers in that series, SGA averaged just 21.0 points on just 45.8% shooting from the field. 

The Thunder’s WCF series against the Spurs started seven days after the Thunder played Game 4 against the Lakers. The performance dip suggests the extended layoff negatively impacted his rhythm.

In WCF’s Game 2 win, Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 30 points, 9 assists and 2 blocks in 38 minutes while shooting 50% from the field.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander warns Thunder teammates after Game 2 win

The Thunder might have won Game 2, but the Game 1 home loss could still become an issue that could end up costing them the series.

Losing the opening game to a formidable opponent at home can be costly for any team.

The Thunder adapted to San Antonio's defensive schemes in Game 2.

"I guess we just got a little bit more comfortable with that type of defense," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "Obviously, it's very unique and different from literally every other defense in the league, so it takes some games.”

However, it would certainly be a mistake to relax against a team like the Spurs with Wembanyama leading it. San Antonio has a 5-2 record against the Thunder, and winning three more games will require a Herculean effort from them in every game. 

“We're still going to have to keep getting better throughout this series if we want a chance to win a series. They're a good team, a good defensive team—really good. They check all the boxes. We're going to have to communicate better. Tonight wasn't good enough to win the series, and we know that,” SGA added.

The Spurs have one of the best records in home games in the 2025-26 season. What is even worse for the Thunder is that they have to be ready to face a hostile crowd.

Who are you taking to come out of the West? Post your pick in the comments.

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Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Koushik Biswas