As the Oklahoma City Thunder gear up for a high-stakes Game 7 in the NBA Finals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is drawing praise not just for his MVP-level play—but for his remarkable composure. During NBA Media Day ahead of the decisive matchup, the Thunder star opened up about why he rarely picks up technical fouls, even in the most pressure-packed moments.
“I was hot-headed as a kid,” Gilgeous-Alexander admitted. “But as I’ve grown, I’ve just understood that getting too high or too low—especially in competition—doesn’t really help me. The way I see it, techs are points. And I don’t ever want to give the team points because I can’t control my emotions. So I just control them. It’s that simple to me”.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on not picking up technical fouls:
“I was hot-headed as a kid, and then as I’ve grown I’ve just understood that getting too high or getting too low especially in competition doesn’t really help me. The way I see it, techs is points. And I don’t ever want… pic.twitter.com/OQvLEcxvsE
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 21, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander’s poise has become a defining trait of his leadership. In a Finals series filled with momentum swings, hostile crowds, and sky-high stakes, he’s remained a steadying force for the youngest team in the league. While other stars have let frustration boil over, SGA has kept his cool—often walking away from heated moments rather than escalating them.
His approach reflects a broader philosophy: emotional discipline is a competitive advantage. And in a Game 7, where one outburst can shift momentum or cost a possession, that mindset could be the difference between heartbreak and history.
Beyond his scoring and playmaking, Gilgeous-Alexander’s maturity has helped set the tone for a Thunder team chasing its first title since relocating to Oklahoma City. He’s not just the face of the franchise—he’s its emotional anchor.
“All it takes to cede momentum in a Game 7 is one emotional outburst or technical foul,” he said. “I’m not letting that be me”.
