With the NBA championship hanging in the balance, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stressed simplicity and focus heading into Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Gilgeous-Alexander repeatedly downplayed the pressure surrounding the moment and instead highlighted the team’s emphasis on routine, discipline, and emotional control.
“It’s a really good opportunity,” he said. “Above all, I try to look at it as a blessing… just be who you are and what got you here.”
Gilgeous-Alexander leads a Thunder squad that was overwhelmed in Game 6, committing 21 turnovers and falling behind by as many as 31 points. Despite the lopsided loss, he dismissed the notion of panic and pointed to the group’s season-long ability to respond to adversity.
“We’ve taken [adversity] and gotten better from it,” he said. “And if we want to achieve our dream, we’ll have to continue to do the same thing.”
When asked about homecourt advantage, Gilgeous-Alexander credited the comfort and consistency that comes with playing at Paycom Center.
“You’re in your own bed, you eat your pregame meal from your chef… it’s very comfortable,” he said. “And then the crowd’s behind you… they give you energy.”
Oklahoma City will need that energy after scoring just 91 points in Game 6 and seeing its offense stagnate. The MVP acknowledged the need for sharper execution on both ends, especially with the title on the line.
“Last game clearly was not good enough,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We know we have to be better for sure.”
The Thunder’s defensive miscues and ball movement lapses were evident Thursday, but Gilgeous-Alexander insisted the blueprint for improvement hasn’t changed.
“It always comes down to the same things,” he noted. “When we do those things, we look like a pretty good team. When we don’t… we look like a bad team.”
As for emotions, Gilgeous-Alexander said the Thunder have grown in their ability to compartmentalize and stay locked in—qualities he believes will be crucial in the most high-stakes game of their season.
“They do a really good job of putting the team first above their individual emotions,” he said of his teammates. “We just have to be who we’ve been all year.”
Game 7 tips off Sunday night. Oklahoma City seeks its first championship since relocating from Seattle in 2008, while Indiana looks to secure the franchise’s first NBA title.
