In the aftermath of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s heartbreaking 113-104 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 3, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t shy away from accountability. The Thunder’s star guard, who has been the driving force behind their success all season, took full responsibility for the defeat in his postgame press conference.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s words were direct and honest:
“In those moments when the game slows down, it usually comes down to your best players making shots and making plays,” he 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.”
SGA:
“In those moments when a game slows down, it usually comes down to your best players making shots and making plays and I didn’t do a good enough job of that tonight and I think that’s the main reason for the outcome” pic.twitter.com/gg1LJmHOKx
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) May 10, 2025
His admission reflected the reality of the game. Despite OKC’s strong effort throughout regulation, their offense completely stalled in overtime, scoring just two points—a meltdown that ultimately cost them the win.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s struggles were evident throughout the game. He finished with 18 points on 7-for-22 shooting, including a 1-for-8 performance in the fourth quarter. Most notably, he did not attempt a single shot in overtime, leaving OKC without its primary offensive weapon when it mattered most.
While the Thunder did many things right—winning the turnover battle and dominating the offensive glass—their inability to execute in crunch time proved costly. Even Nikola Jokic, who had an uncharacteristically poor shooting night (8-for-25), managed to make key plays when Denver needed them most.
With the Nuggets now holding a 2-1 series lead, the Thunder must regroup quickly. Gilgeous-Alexander’s willingness to take responsibility is a sign of leadership, but words alone won’t be enough. OKC needs its star to bounce back in Game 4, where they’ll look to even the series and avoid falling into a deeper hole.
