OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – APRIL 5: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder smiles after a play during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center on April 5, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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The prolific highlight reels showcase Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s clutch shots and timely passes. They don’t show any exuberant celebrations.
The occasional lowlights document the Oklahoma City Thunder’s star dealing with swarming double teams and a poor shooting night. They don’t reveal any frustrated outbursts.
The top-seeded Thunder face the No. 2 San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals beginning on Monday mostly because of Gilgeous-Alexander’s prolific play. Hence, the NBA will likely announce Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday as this year’s regular-season MVP. Yet, Gilgeous-Alexander will likely win the MVP award for a second consecutive year because of his calm demeanor through success and failure. That quality also partly explains why the Thunder are considered favorites to win a second consecutive NBA championship.
“It just gives me the best chance to make the right decision on the next play,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “That’s what’s most important. I’ve noticed throughout my career from personal experiences that emotions only get in the way of critical and smart thinking. Especially in those moments that I want to get the job done the most, I try to put my emotions aside and stay locked in on what’s present and what matters the most.”
What matters the most: the Thunder and Gilgeous-Alexander have maintained their dominance following their first NBA title season.
The Thunder (64-18) secured the No. 1 seed for the third consecutive season and swept the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs. Gilgeous-Alexander ranked second in the NBA in regular-season scoring (31.1 points per game) and in post-season scoring (29.1), while also leading the league in total points made in the final five minutes of a game (175).
What also matters: Gilgeous-Alexander has calmly mastered his job description during those high-stakes moments. During rare lapses, Gilgeous-Alexander has stayed stoic.
“It’s been a huge part of our team’s growth,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “His poise and confidence are contagious. It’s only been more contagious as his gravity has grown over time.”
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 19: The Oklahoma City Thunder look on from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game Six of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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How Shai Stays Calm Under Pressure
The Thunder sensed they would experience a seismic shift when they acquired Gilgeous-Alexander from the LA Clippers in the 2019 offseason. Despite trading Paul George in his prime, the Thunder already knew then they won the deal. They sensed Gilgeous-Alexander would grow into a star after admiring his potential as a multi-faceted scorer. OKC also acquired a proven veteran (Danilo Gallinari), the Clippers’ three first-round picks (2022, 2024, 2026), the Miami Heat’s two first-round picks (2021, 2023) and the right to two first-round pick swaps (2023, 2025).
That move also enabled the Thunder to expedite a rebuild with quality draft picks in Aaron Wiggins (2021), Chet Holmgren (2022), Jalen and Jaylin Williams (2022), Cason Wallace (2023) and Ajay Mitchell (2024). While the Thunder grew their depth with a stellar player development program, Gilgeous-Alexander cemented himself as one of the league’s premier rising stars.
For three consecutive postseasons, Gilgeous-Alexander has excelled as a three-level scorer at the rim, from the midrange and at the free-throw line. He has drawn criticism for how he draws fouls with seeking and embellishing contact, but the Thunder contend he simply knows how to angle himself against defenders to create separation for an open shot. Gilgeous-Alexander hasn’t become an elite 3-point shooter yet, but he still keeps his defenders honest with his improved stroke, strong driving and stellar playmaking. Gilgeous-Alexander has excelled in reaching what he called “a flow state” by staying calm with making quick decisions.
“It’s all mental at this point,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s about understanding the game inside the game, understanding the chess matches or understanding what opposing coaches are trying to do and what positions they’re trying to put my team in. From there, I’m trying to make sure that every time down the floor, I’m making the right basketball play. Once you find the balance in all of that, you’re going to get the most out of your potential as a basketball player.”
It helps that Gilgeous-Alexander has a stellar supporting cast to allow himself to maximize his potential. Jalen Williams and Mitchell are strong 3-point shooters. Wallace, Lu Dort and Alex Caruso all defend at the wing with physicality, smarts and effort, which enables Gilgeous-Alexander to take risks defensively and conserve his workload on the offensive end. Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein are effective pick-and-roll partners.
Yet, the Thunder have that depth partly because of how Gilgeous-Alexander rarely forces anything and allows his emotions to overwhelm him amid swarming defensive coverages. As Daigneault said, “the great players don’t fight the game; they take what the defense gives them.”
“That doesn’t mean he’s being passive,” Holmgren said. “He’s being aggressive out there and reading the game. Sometimes the game tells him that he needs to pass, and he does a great job of that. It sets the tone because if he’s going to do that, it behooves anyone else not to. So I think it’s great for our team. It’s a great example of leading with action. By doing the right thing, people tend to follow and he’s done a great job with that.”
Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t always do a great job with that. Amid his stops as a high school prospect in Hamilton, Ontario (St. Thomas More, Sir Allan MacNab) and Chattanooga, Tenn. (Hamilton Heights Christian Academy), Gilgeous-Alexander conceded that he struggled with handling adversity. Then, Gilgeous-Alexander’s coaches talked to him about not becoming easily triggered.
That reputation never followed Gilgeous-Alexander during his lone season at University of Kentucky (2017-18) and his eight-year NBA career (2018-present). Instead, the Thunder rave about how Gilgeous-Alexander hasn’t become phased with opposing team’s double teams or for his ‘free-throw merchant’ tag. When Gilgeous-Alexander became limited with foul trouble in the Game 2 of the Thunder’s second-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, OKC lauded him for staying positive on the bench. As Gilgeous-Alexander shot only 7-for-20 in Game 3, the Thunder praised him for deferring to his teammates.
“It’s pretty cool to see that from your star player,” Mitchell said. “No matter what’s going on in the game, he’s always going to be calm and collected. I think that gives all of us a huge boost and confidence in knowing that we’re good no matter what.”
Predictably, Gilgeous-Alexander praised his teammates for compensating for his foul trouble or poor shooting. Predictably, Gilgeous-Alexander remained positive that the next star performance awaits soon.
“He’s seen everything at this point multiple times and multiple years,” Daigneault said. “So nothing surprises him.”