Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized defense as the foundation of Oklahoma City’s 116-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday at Paycom Center. “Defense is the one thing you can control in a basketball game. That’s why we hang our hat on it,” he said. The Thunder forced 22 turnovers while committing only seven, allowing the team to rally in the second half despite trailing at halftime.
The Thunder captain also highlighted the team’s depth and adaptability. “We have so many guys that just are really good basketball players and can go in and affect the game at a high level. Every game’s going to look different,” he explained.
The reigning MVP noted the importance of integrating new players midseason, referencing Jared McCain’s contributions. “For him to find his way in on the fly with so many things going on is impressive and really just speaks to the character guy he is,” he said.
Confidence and experience remain central to Gilgeous-Alexander’s approach. Reflecting on his ability to stay composed despite missed shots, he said, “It increases every year for sure. Just the more I play, the more I work out, the more experience I go through. I have no choice but to be confident.” His 20 points and 10 assists extended his streak of consecutive 20-point games to 128, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain’s mark of 126.
Gilgeous-Alexander praised Oklahoma City’s shooting and spacing, particularly the contributions of Isaiah Joe and McCain. “It’s a match made in heaven. Teams do whatever they can to keep me out of the paint, and having those guys out there to space the floor is a luxury,” he said. He also recognized Isaiah Hartenstein’s role as a high-level screener. “He’s very selfless. From the day he’s been here, he’s made my life easier and as a team our life easier for sure,” Shai noted.
The Thunder have excelled on their current home stand, defeating four high-level opponents. “Every opponent so far, I think we’ve figured out a way to win. When it comes down to it, making winning plays and just edging those little possessions out is what gets you over the hump,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
Shai also highlighted AJ Mitchell’s impact in his return to the starting lineup. “Just a guy that can go make a play in any given time. Having guys like that on the court is a luxury. Makes us pretty hard to guard and hard to score on both ends,” he said.
With the Thunder now 53-15, Shai emphasized that personal milestones take a back seat to team success. “I didn’t care about anything besides winning the game. If I have a night like tonight and we win, I’ll be the happiest guy on earth. Winning is all that matters,” he said.
The Thunder visit Orlando on Tuesday, while the Timberwolves host Phoenix.
