It’s never an easy thing for a player to remain consistent. However, as we’ve seen in this series, it doesn’t take long for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to respond from an off-night. After playing a stinker in Game 1, fans were treated to an SGA MVP game as OKC cruised for a win to tie the Thunder vs Spurs series.
At this point, it’s easy to say that being the best in the world has its limits. SGA, for what it’s worth, showed why he deserved to win the MVP award for the second season in a row. This time, he delivered a massive performance to help the Thunder win and get back on the road with the series tied.
SGA’s MVP Game Silences “Best In The World” Claims
Now more than ever, Gilgeous-Alexander showed that there’s more to expect from his game. He’s given OKC a lift when it mattered most. In fact, he willed his team to avoid going down 0-2 in the Western Conference Finals. They made a lot of adjustments, especially in guarding Victor Wembanyama. However, it is well known that SGA’s change to play better was the most pivotal of them all.
SGA Responded Like An MVP Should
After shooting just 7-of-23 from the field for 24 points in Game 1, Gilgeous-Alexander showed that he only needed to shake off his rust a bit and get back to his normal programming. SGA finished with 30 points in Game 2 and had nine assists to just one turnover. That was certainly a massive game from the MVP, and that game-high finish was really needed by the Thunder.
With Wembanyama being held to just 21 points, with just four points in the fourth quarter, it was clear that Gilgeous-Alexander had the big game going. He capped it off when he drilled a step-back middy against Stephon Castle. The reigning MVP proved that this Thunder vs Spurs series will be no different, and there are a lot of adjustments to be made night in and night out.
Hot take SGA doesn’t only need free throws to score my man can score regularly better than 80% of the league 🥷 https://t.co/I4WDPWDV1L pic.twitter.com/nCGUQZzsSQ
— GameCentral (@GameCentraI) May 21, 2026
As the series rages on and shifts to San Antonio, SGA definitely has to find a way to continue scoring and leading the way for OKC. With Jalen Williams likely sidelined once more, there’s no doubt that Oklahoma City will now have to count on Gilgeous-Alexander making big plays for the team and delivering a massive performance in the next set of games.
Spurs Had No Answer For His Aggressive Game
What was definitely good about SGA’s game is that the Spurs literally had no answer for it. They’ve put a lot of bodies on him, and the star guard easily navigated it by setting himself up early. He was more aggressive in getting to his spots and found his groove in a few minutes. Gilgeous-Alexander either battled off-ball screens, settled for quick cuts to the paint, and played his usual mid-range isolation game when it was available to him.
This dynamic allowed OKC to thrive, and he was also superb in his playmaking. Gilgeous-Alexander had nine assists and only turned the ball over once in an offensive foul. In that regard, the rest of the Thunder played through him. For context, the defending champions had seven players in double-figures, and it was clear that the reigning MVP simply made the rest of his team better.
Somehow nobody is talking about this. Where’s that “the MVP gets benched on defense” crowd? Shai might be one of the best weak side rim defending guards in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/3n1QB9NKpF
— Drew (Toxic I Guess) (@ThunderHusky17) May 21, 2026
With SGA in his rhythm, it was easy to play off him. The offense doesn’t feel forced. It flows through him, and the rest of the Thunder found it easy to play offense from defense, especially with Gilgeous-Alexander having defensive stops himself.
OKC Needs More Elite SGA MVP Performances
Oklahoma City heads into uncharted territory as they visit San Antonio for Games 3 and 4. This will be a huge challenge for the defending champions, but there is hopes that they will win big with Gilgeous-Alexander showing why he’s the deserving back-to-back MVP winner.
It is going to take a superhuman effort from the Thunder star to prove that he can lead his team past their biggest challenge yet, and now he has a chance to shine bright and bring Oklahoma City to the biggest stage of the game once more.
If you want to claim the “Best in the World” title, you’ll need to snatch the chain from SGA first.
Featured Image: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
