Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized trust and collective execution as the keys to Oklahoma City’s Game 5 victory over Denver on Tuesday night.
“We always say, like, the answer is never like a hero play or anything out the ordinary,” Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters postgame. “It’s being who we are.”
The Thunder star, who finished with 31 points, hit a critical three-pointer with 48 seconds remaining that helped secure a 112–105 win and a 3–2 series lead.
Reflecting on the shot, which came after missing his previous three-point attempts in the series, Gilgeous-Alexander said, “It felt like it’s about time. You can’t get caught up in the emotion of it… because of my confidence, it paid dividends tonight.”
Lu Dort, who had struggled from deep earlier in the playoffs, hit three triples in a decisive stretch during the fourth quarter.
Gilgeous-Alexander praised Dort’s poise and character, saying, “That just speaks to the worker and the person he is… we wouldn’t have been able to win tonight if we didn’t make those shots.”
Oklahoma City’s offense, which sputtered early, found rhythm in the second half by attacking mismatches and moving the ball effectively.
“They’re throwing different coverages — going from zone to man so often,” Gilgeous-Alexander noted. “Just taking what the game gives you… and living with the result.”
Despite Nikola Jokic’s 44-point performance, the Thunder defense tightened late, fueled by timely rotations and bench contributions.
When asked about the team’s overall maturity, Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged the weight on his shoulders: “A lot of responsibility. Winning is the end-all, be-all. It’s why I play basketball.”
He added that the team’s internal focus, not outside narratives, drives their success: “We’re not trying to answer anybody else’s questions.”
Jalen Williams’ clutch corner three with 1:18 left came off a sequence Gilgeous-Alexander described as “nothing special,” but rather a product of Oklahoma City’s year-long habits.
“That play is exactly what we did. It’s been no secret formula,” he said.
He also credited the bench unit, including Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, and Aaron Wiggins, for providing flexibility and energy: “We have a bunch of guys that can go in and impact the basketball game — no matter the stage.”
When asked about a foul by Russell Westbrook in the second half that drew a strong crowd reaction, Gilgeous-Alexander dismissed any intent: “I didn’t think it was ill-intentioned at all. I think he was just trying to stop the play.”
Looking ahead to Game 6 in Denver, Gilgeous-Alexander expects maximum intensity: “We’ll probably get the best game out of them.”
