Oklahoma City Thunder’s star player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, expressed disappointment after the team’s season ended with a loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals. Despite being named NBA Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year, Gilgeous-Alexander described the 2025-26 season as a failure, as the Thunder fell short of their goal to win back-to-back NBA titles.
Season Highlights and Challenges
The Thunder had a strong start to the season, boasting a 24-1 record and later achieving a 19-1 run towards the end of their 64-18 campaign. They entered the postseason with high expectations, winning eight consecutive games before facing difficulties against the Spurs. Oklahoma City held a 3-2 series lead but was defeated 118-91 in Game 6 and 111-103 in Game 7.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 25.9 points during the series, with three games scoring over 30 points. However, his shooting percentage dropped to 40.9% from his regular season average of 55.3%. The Spurs’ defense, led by Victor Wembanyama, posed a significant challenge, impacting Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance.
Injuries and Team Dynamics
The Thunder faced additional challenges with injuries to key players. Jalen Williams missed Game 7 due to a left hamstring injury, having played only three games in the series. Williams believes his presence could have changed the outcome. Ajay Mitchell, who stepped in for Williams, also missed the final four games due to a right calf strain.
Chet Holmgren, another Thunder player, faced criticism for his performance against Wembanyama. Holmgren averaged 10.7 points in the series and struggled in Game 7, scoring only four points. He acknowledged the need to improve his rhythm and shooting opportunities.
Despite the season’s end, Gilgeous-Alexander remains optimistic about learning from the experience. “I learn the most about myself and make the greatest amount of increases in my career when I fail,” he stated, emphasizing his commitment to addressing the reasons behind the team’s shortcomings.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
