Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had another impressive game, scoring 40 points in a performance that showed why he’s a contender for the MVP award this season. However, what made him most excited wasn’t just his own performance, but how the whole Oklahoma City Thunder team played in their big win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, which was broadcast nationally.
“There’s obviously myself as the leading scorer of the team. I’m going to get most of the praise. But the world is seeing all of the — we call them cockroaches in our locker room. Cockroaches and hyenas,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
“Those are the guys who do the little work, the guys that don’t get the most praise. They don’t average 30, but their part into our winning and our season is just as big, and I’m glad the world gets to see that.”
Gilgeous-Alexander, who is 6-foot-6, finished with 40 points and eight assists in just three quarters as the Thunder, who lead the Western Conference, defeated the Cavaliers, who are leading the Eastern Conference, 134-114. He made 17 of his 26 shots, often using his dribbling skills to break down Cleveland’s defense, getting to the basket or hitting mid-range jumpers.
Last season, Gilgeous-Alexander was the runner-up for the NBA MVP award. This year, he’s averaging 31.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists for a Thunder team that shares the league’s best record at 34-6 with the Cavaliers. He has already earned the Western Conference Player of the Month award twice this season.
When asked if Gilgeous-Alexander was trying to make a statement on national TV, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault downplayed it.
“You know, he just looked the same,” Daigneault said. “That’s why he’s so good. It’s like that pretty much every night. So he was on it, and I thought he maintained a pretty good floor game throughout it.”
Fans have certainly taken notice. In the third round of All-Star fan voting, the Canadian guard leads Western Conference guards, ahead of stars like Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Edwards.
“Personally, it feels good,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “All the hard work’s paying off. Nothing’s guaranteed in life, so you take everything that goes your way as a blessing. Don’t take it for granted. That’s what I try to do. … Just trying not to get too wrapped up into it and keep plugging away at what your job is every night. That’s what I’ll continue to do.”
While Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the Thunder, Jalen Williams has been his most reliable teammate. Williams is averaging 20.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in his third season. Although Williams hasn’t been named an All-Star yet, Gilgeous-Alexander believes he deserves to be one this year.
“You can start with his points. He obviously averages 20 and very efficient,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “He carries the load when I’m out of the game, makes plays for him and the guys around him.”
Gilgeous-Alexander also praised Williams’ defense. Despite Williams saying he’s 6-6, Gilgeous-Alexander joked that he thinks Williams is actually shorter.
“At 6-4, he’s able to guard all five positions on the basketball court,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, as Williams tried to argue. “Like tonight, he guarded a 7-footer. I could never. And a lot of guys our size could never.
Those types of things directly impact winning, and we clearly are winning basketball games. Nobody has his print on us winning basketball games more than Jalen Williams, and that’s why he deserves to be an All-Star.”
Through these contributions, both Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams are helping Oklahoma City thrive as one of the best teams in the NBA.
