We Came Out Here Desperate- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Makes Honest Admission After Handing Blowout Game 2 Loss to Nuggets

The Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made an honest admission after they avenged their series-opening loss to the Denver Nuggets. The Thunder handed their rivals a 149-106 defeat in a blowout fashion in Game 2 of their Western Conference Semifinals series on May 7. After having suffered a 121-119 loss in Game 1, both teams stand even in the series. 

After the win, star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had an honest admission to make. Reflecting upon the significance of the victory for the squad, the 26-year-old said that they were desperate for a win as they headed into Game 2. He said, “We came out here desperate.” 

Gilgeous-Alexander went on to say that the team wanted to avoid a 0-2 hole heading on the road and they came up with necessary plays that helped them secure a win. Speaking to TNT Sports, he said, “We knew what it would look like going down 0-2 on the road. That wasn’t really an option for us. We knew that waking up this morning and we uh we did the necessary things to get a W.”

Also Read: Head Coach Tom Thibodeau Credits New York Knicks’ ‘Outstanding Defense’ For Game 2 Win Over Boston Celtics

“Definitely Wanted To Put an Imprint on the Game”- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Reflects on His Game-Winning Performance

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came up with a crucial performance of 34 points, four rebounds, and eight assists in a historic matchup. The night saw the Thunder setting an NBA record for recording the highest-scoring first half with 87 points. Not only this, during the game, the Canadian star also set a personal record with +51 plus/minus, which is the highest +/- in a playoff game in NBA history. 

Speaking about his performance, the presumed NBA MVP 2025 said that he wanted to make an imprint on the game. He said, “I definitely wanted to put an imprint on the game from the get [go] without trying to force anything, and ultimately still just let the game tell me what to do.” 

The Canadian added, “The game’s going to test me. Every possession down, they’re going to throw coverage at me, and I have to make the right decision, make the right answer. I think I did a pretty good job in the first quarter.” On Wednesday night Shai-Gilgeous was shooting 11-of-13 from the field and 11-of-11 from the line. 

Apart from recording a half with most points in a playoff game, Oklahoma City tied the franchise’s record for the most points scored in a quarter as they led the Nuggets 45-21. 

For Game 3, the Thunder will hit Ball Arena in Denver on Friday, May 9.

Also Read: Boston Celtics Set Unwanted NBA Record Amid Woeful Conference Semifinals Run vs. New York Knicks