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MEMPHIS, Tenn.— Prior to his breakout performance in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s dramatic 117-115 Game 4 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had recorded a total of 73 points on 68 attempts across the first three games. His shooting percentage of 35% placed him at the bottom among the ten Thunder players who participated in every game — a surprising statistic to consider going into the series.
However, in crunch time on Saturday, the Thunder’s star and MVP contender elevated his game.
Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a game-high 38 points, propelling the Thunder to a series sweep and securing a meeting in the next round with the winner of the matchup between the LA Clippers and the Denver Nuggets. Whichever team comes out on top will face a Thunder squad that is well-rested and features a top player who appears to have found his rhythm.
Despite his earlier struggles, neither Gilgeous-Alexander nor his teammates were truly concerned about his unusual lack of efficiency. What he gained from this straightforward series was another opportunity to overcome it. The Thunder refer to this as “building muscle.”
SGA TOO GOOD IN THE CLUTCH 💯🥶
Career-high 38 PTS in the playoffs. OKC advances.pic.twitter.com/ZqvgifVeyW
— NBA (@NBA) April 26, 2025
“I’ve been impressed with my perseverance,” Gilgeous-Alexander remarked. “In previous seasons, I might have dialed back my aggressiveness a bit. I’ve made significant progress in that area this year, and I take pride in it. Instead of concentrating on the outcomes, I concentrate on my mental growth, and I feel I’ve advanced in that aspect. My performance on Saturday was a result of that mindset. In prior situations, I would have hesitated during tough moments due to struggles with my shooting.”
Over the initial three games, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 24.3 points on 22.7 shot attempts per game, converting just 6 of 24 three-pointers. Nevertheless, throughout the series, he maintained that his shots felt right.
“The ball just wasn’t going in,” he explained. “But on Saturday, it started to fall.”
In Game 4, he hit 13 of his 24 attempts and nailed 11 of 13 from the free-throw line. He began with an impressive 7-for-7, racking up 16 points in the first quarter through a combination of midrange jumpers, agile drives, and creative finishes. A notable adjustment was his shooting strategy; he only attempted a single three-pointer in the first three quarters. Rather than settling for available shots, Gilgeous-Alexander honed in on the opportunities he desired.
“I believe I’ve made strides mentally,” he stated. “But I’ve been doing that all season long. It’s crucial to just get the job done. Because I remained true to my growth and development, we secured the victory.”
His dominance in Game 4 was evident, as he commanded the court. It showcased his capability to perform as a lethal finisher when it counts most. His last two baskets underscored his strengthened mental resolve.
First, he drained his one three-pointer with a stepback that left Grizzlies guard Vince Williams Jr. momentarily bewildered before he switched defenders. By the time Jaren Jackson Jr. arrived to contest, it was too late. This basket pushed the Thunder’s lead to their largest margin of the game, at 12 points, with just 3:37 left.
AFTER A 68-WIN SEASON… THE @okcthunder ARE THE FIRST TEAM TO ADVANCE TO THE SECOND ROUND ⛈️pic.twitter.com/ZK1mpHxdOL
— NBA (@NBA) April 26, 2025
The Grizzlies, even without star guard Ja Morant, who was sidelined with a hip injury from Game 3, refused to give in silently. Consequently, Gilgeous-Alexander’s last basket might not have been a game-breaker, but it was undeniably significant.
With the Thunder leading by three points in the final 20 seconds, Gilgeous-Alexander danced above the three-point line against Williams. He skillfully maneuvered the ball between his legs multiple times before making his move to the top of the key. After a spin to his left, he stepped back once more — swish. This shot effectively sealed the game and the series.
“I don’t think my outlook changed,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Every night I step onto the court, my goal is to be the best version of myself. I hadn’t quite reached that in earlier games, but on Saturday, I was close. Maintaining that consistent mindset allowed me to play freely. I didn’t feel the need to switch my mentality during the series; I stayed aggressive the whole time.”
In 38 minutes of play, Gilgeous-Alexander also contributed five rebounds and six assists with just one turnover. His stability significantly contributed to the Thunder’s dominance in the turnover department, where they outperformed the Grizzlies 22-8. Oklahoma City capitalized on this, scoring 32 points off turnovers in Game 4 and a total of 103 during the series.
Even during his shooting struggles, his passing was sharp. He frequently found open shooters and showcased impressive aggression without forcing his own offense on Saturday. When facing double teams, he quickly made the correct reads and had faith in his teammates. Throughout the entire series, Gilgeous-Alexander amassed 24 assists compared to just eight turnovers.
“He was consistently effective with his overall game in all these contests,” remarked Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. “His style didn’t waver, and that’s what we focus on. I believe he missed some opportunities early on, but it wasn’t due to any changes in his play. He simply found his rhythm in this game and the last.”
It speaks volumes about the exceptional season Gilgeous-Alexander has put together that his shooting troubles even became a topic of discussion during the series. He has set such a high standard for himself that a handful of off-nights seems unusual. For him, three subpar performances in a row might as well be referred to as a slump.
“I’m not sure where this inconsistency narrative is coming from,” said Thunder forward Chet Holmgren. “He played an outstanding series. He was making smart plays and creating good looks for us. At the end of the day, shot success shouldn’t be the sole metric for performance evaluation. Whether the shots went in or not, we were satisfied with the attempts.
“It’s an imperfect game. Shai will never be perfect, I wish he could be, but that’s unrealistic. Throughout the series, he made the right decisions and trusted his teammates, which benefited everyone. I have no doubt he’ll keep playing at a high level, and when his shots start falling more consistently, we’ll be here discussing how remarkable his performances are.”
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Darnell Mayberry is a senior writer for The Athletic, focusing on the Chicago Bulls. He previously spent 12 years at The Oklahoman, where he covered the Thunder before transitioning into an editorial role. Prior to that, Darnell reported on men’s basketball at the University of Akron and on prep sports and recruiting for the Akron Beacon Journal. He is the author of “100 Things Thunder Fans Should Know And Do Before They Die.” Follow Darnell on Twitter @DarnellMayberry.
