Shai Gilgeous-Alexander addressed reporters Thursday night after the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 111-110 loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Despite scoring 38 points on 14-of-30 shooting, the league MVP couldn’t deliver a final blow, missing a potential game-clinching shot before Tyrese Haliburton’s jumper sealed the Pacers’ comeback.
“I thought I got a pretty good look. Felt good, didn’t go in. And then they got a look and it went in,” Gilgeous-Alexander said postgame. “It is what it is… just got to be better for next game.”
The Thunder led for 47 minutes but failed to close out, surrendering a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter—the largest comeback in a Finals game since 2011.
When asked if the loss reminded him of a similar scenario in Denver earlier this postseason, Gilgeous-Alexander kept the focus on the series outlook.
“The series isn’t first to one—it’s first to four,” he said. “We have four more games to get, they have three. We got to get to four before they do if we want to win an NBA championship.”
The Thunder had a two-day layoff leading into the Finals, and Gilgeous-Alexander believed they opened with the right energy. However, he acknowledged the Pacers punished their late-game execution.
“We had control of the game for the most part… now, it is a 48-minute game,” he said. “They teach you that lesson more than anyone else in the league—the hard way.”
Despite outscoring Indiana in three quarters, Oklahoma City struggled late, committing six turnovers and getting outscored 35-25 in the final frame.
Haliburton’s shot was his fourth game-winner of the playoffs, a trend that reporters asked Gilgeous-Alexander to comment on. His response was measured.
“He just made a play with the time winding down. Made a good play,” he said.
Pressed on what the Thunder need to improve, Gilgeous-Alexander admitted it was too soon to identify specific adjustments but emphasized the team’s process.
“We definitely have areas to get better on both ends of the floor,” he said. “That’s what the next two days are for. Try to get better and then come out here and be a better team for Game 2.”
The All-NBA guard also rejected the idea that Finals pressure should alter their mindset.
“Yes, we haven’t been in this situation, but it doesn’t mean our character has to change,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s still basketball.”
Oklahoma City will look to even the series on Sunday night in Game 2 at home.
