Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spoke candidly after Oklahoma City’s 108-91 loss to Indiana in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. “The way I see it is we suck tonight,” he said. “We have to learn the lessons. We have one game for everything, for everything we’ve worked for, and so do they. The better team Sunday will win.”
The Thunder’s star pointed to unusually high turnovers as a key factor. “They just turned us over a bunch,” he explained. “They didn’t pressure full court like they have been, which led to more turnovers. I didn’t expect that, but whatever it is they did, it’s right. If we want to win on Sunday, we got to take care of the ball. Moral of the story.”
Gilgeous-Alexander noted a change in defensive approach by the Pacers. “They were definitely lower on the pickups… I think it was just like carelessness and not being focused, not being as engaged. They played harder than us tonight as well, and when a team plays harder, they usually turn the other team over.”
Comparing this Finals series to their earlier playoff round against Denver, he said, “It’s a 3-3 series, 0-0-0. You have one game to advance, and the better team will win. Everything that’s happened in the series, you try to learn from and put it all together for one night.”
Asked about the weight of the opportunity to clinch the championship, Gilgeous-Alexander admitted it was on their minds. “Definitely in the back of our minds for sure. No, we didn’t play like it at all, and that’s why the night went the way it did. We got exactly what we deserved, what we earned. We have to own that.”
He also reflected on his experience with high-pressure games. “All those experiences help me for sure. The one-and-done experiences, do-or-die games, there’s lessons from every game. I don’t feel like I have to do anything other than just be the best version of myself. That goes for everyone else in the room.”
Regarding his time on the bench during the fourth quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander praised the bench players. “Watching the group on the floor was impressive. They played as hard as they did, which was inspiring. They were really good tonight. Kind of taught me a lesson.”
Looking ahead to Game 7, he sees no difference between closing out the Finals and other series. “If we lose, season’s over in the wrong way. Either way, I would have been extremely disappointed. So I don’t think it’s much different.”
The Thunder return home Sunday with their season on the line against the Pacers, who built a commanding lead in Game 6.
