Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did not spend much time searching for excuses after his bounce-back performance in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.
The Oklahoma City Thunder star scored 30 points and added nine assists in a 122-113 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, helping Oklahoma City even the series at 1-1 after a disappointing Game 1 loss at Paycom Center.
After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander gave a blunt explanation for the difference between his two performances.
“I just sucked when I get too long of a break,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I don’t think it’s anything other than that.”
“I guess I got to do a better job with my breaks, especially during the playoffs.”
The MVP looked far more comfortable against San Antonio’s defense in the second game of the series. Oklahoma City finished with 34 assists and only nine turnovers while generating cleaner offensive possessions throughout the night.
“We honestly speaking, I think we just did a better job of attacking them than in the first game,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I still feel like we got really good looks. They just didn’t go down.”
He also credited the Spurs for presenting a defensive style unlike most teams in the league.
“It’s very unique and different from literally every other defense in the league,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “So, it takes some getting used to.”
Despite the improved performance, the Thunder guard made clear that Oklahoma City does not believe one win solved the series.
“Tonight wasn’t good enough to win the series, and we know that,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We’ll take the W, but we got to keep getting better.”
The Thunder played with more pace and physicality after falling behind 0-1 in the series. Oklahoma City forced 21 Spurs turnovers and turned them into 27 points, while its bench outscored San Antonio’s reserves 57-25.
Gilgeous-Alexander said desperation helped sharpen the Thunder’s focus entering Game 2.
“Waking up this morning we were probably more desperate than they were,” he said. “We had to get this game or else we go on the road down 0-2.”
He believed the Thunder leaned back into the identity that helped them win 64 regular-season games and sweep both the Suns and Lakers earlier in the postseason.
“We turned them over, I think. We rebounded better,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I think our pace was better, decision-making was better.”
“But I think ultimately through their runs and their loud plays, we just stuck with it and stuck with it together.”
One of the biggest adjustments came from Isaiah Hartenstein, who started after playing only 12 minutes in Game 1. The center finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds while defending Victor Wembanyama for long stretches.
“He’s our physicality. He’s our backbone. He’s our bruiser,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Sets screens, rebounds for us. He’s physical.”
“Coach didn’t call his number as much in the first game. Called it tonight and he just stepped up to the challenge.”
The Thunder now head to San Antonio for Game 3 on Friday, though uncertainty remains around Jalen Williams after the All-Star wing exited Game 2 with recurring hamstring tightness.
“Obviously if we don’t have him, it hurts,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “But I still believe in this team.”
