With one win separating the Oklahoma City Thunder from their first NBA championship, All-NBA guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made it clear on Wednesday that his team isn’t focused on the moment’s magnitude—but rather on preparation.
“We’re always trying to put ourselves in the opponent’s shoes,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, echoing a mindset he and head coach Mark Daigneault have emphasized throughout the season. “We’re expecting Indiana’s best punch, especially at home.”
Game 6 of the NBA Finals tips off Thursday in Indianapolis, with Oklahoma City leading the series 3-2 after Monday’s 120-109 victory in Game 5.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished that contest with 31 points and 10 assists, downplayed individual accomplishments when asked about the broader narrative. No NBA leading scorer has won a title since 2000, a trend that would end if the Thunder win the series.
“We’re just dialed in on Game 6,” Daigneault said when asked about that statistic. “Shai’s incredible. He’s a great teammate, great player. But we’re focused on Game 6.”
Much of the Thunder’s preparation has centered on Indiana’s aggressive style at home, especially with Tyrese Haliburton’s status uncertain. The Pacers have averaged 116 points per game in their two home wins this series.
“You don’t underestimate great players,” Daigneault said. “In either case—whether he plays or not—we’re expecting Indiana’s best punch.”
Cason Wallace, who stepped up with a key two-way performance in Game 5, also drew praise for his approach and maturity.
“He just comes out with great confidence,” Daigneault said. “We’re going to need him again tomorrow. We’re going to need everybody.”
As the franchise aims to cap off a 68-win season with a title, Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized a steady, process-driven mindset.
“There’s no new material right now,” he said. “We’re just leaning on the psychological habits we’ve tried to build over a long period of time.”
That consistency has defined Oklahoma City’s defensive identity. After finishing second in defensive rating last season, the Thunder led the league this year.
“We’ve evolved and improved some things, but hopefully most of the big rocks are things that are very familiar,” Daigneault said. “We’ve tried to stay very consistent and it’s served us well.”
Game 6 will mark the team’s first opportunity to secure the championship since relocating from Seattle in 2008.
But Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t thinking about that just yet.
“The most important thing we need to do to win the game tomorrow is prepare,” he said. “Then play the first possession really well. And then the next. And then the next.”
