The Oklahoma City Thunder find themselves in a bind for the first time in the 2025 playoffs after losing Game 3 to the Denver Nuggets. While it’s not rare for a top team to stumble a bit during high-pressure playoff situations, it still doesn’t take away that fans are slightly concerned with how their team is playing.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got plenty of attention from the press for his performance, whether he wanted to or not. The star who is constantly expected to lead the Thunder to postseason glory had a terrible Game 3, and Thunder fans might be worried if this spells trouble for the team’s championship aspirations.
What ticked off fans was his demeanor after such a demotivating loss, which might have looked bad to some. The 2025 MVP favorite explained his side on why he approached things from such a perspective.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander explains why he was smiling after the Oklahoma City Thunder lost Game 3
The Nuggets clung on to their home-court advantage in overtime to win Game 3, 104-113. The defense did a great job not letting SGA get the hot hand as he finished the match with only 18 points on an abysmal 7/22 FG clip.
While the pressures of playing in Mile High City might have gotten to Shai, his postgame behavior rubbed fans the wrong way. He was seen flashing a rare smile as he walked to the away locker room despite his team being in such a precarious situation.
SGA dismissed any allegations of him not taking the series seriously as he explained the reason behind his smile.
Per Fadeaway World’s Gautam Varier:
“Some fans were taunting me,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated. “I know how the game goes, I know how life is. It’s easy to taunt when you’re up. I don’t ever want to show them that I’m defeated or mad or anything like that. Nothing’s written, the series is not over, and we have a lot to be optimistic about.”
He also owned up to his failures of not stepping up when it matters most:
“In those moments when the game slows down, it usually comes down to your best players making shots and making plays,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I didn’t do a good enough job of that tonight, and I think that’s the main reason for the outcome. Yeah, so I think it’s more so that than anything to be honest.”
Jalen Williams took on the brunt of the scoring load as SGA was rendered ineffective, with his 32 points forcing an overtime. Chet Holmgren also had a middling shooting night with his 18 points, but his 16 boards, one steal, and three blocks ensured the Thunder competed for much of the game.
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