INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn't satisfied with just one MVP season.
Thus, he proved himself to be the NBA Finals MVP and got off to a great start this season.
The three-time All-Star scored a career-high 55 points, 15 of which came after regulation on Thursday, to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to victory. second win in a row in double overtime, this time over defending Eastern Conference champion Indiana by a score of 141-135.
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Gilgeous-Alexander remained aggressive, challenged defenders and made free throws in his fifth game, scoring 50 points, tying Russell Westbrook for the most points with the Thunder.
” This night was no different from any other night. “I attack,” he said. – I always go downhill. I had to put my aggressive foot forward.”
Gilgeous-Alexander took advantage of a game in which players committed 70 fouls. Number 71 was a technical foul against Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, and naturally Gilgeous-Alexander committed that foul as well. He made 23 of 26 from the free throw line, 15 of 31 from the field, eight rebounds and five assists.
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He was also largely responsible for the Pacers, already shorthanded, violating the three-player rule. They were without injured guards Tyrese Haliburton and TJ McConnell, then lost guard Andrew Nembhard with a sore left shoulder in the first half. Later, Aaron Nesmith, Bennedict Mathurin and Ben Sheppard committed fouls.
“It's a lot to be guarding one of the best players in the game, (Lou) Dort, and then guarding the best player in the NBA,” said Mathurin, who made 15 of 17 free throws for 36 points. “It’s definitely a challenge, but I mean, I’m ready for it.”
How well did Gilgeous-Alexander perform in the first two games?
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He had 35 points, five rebounds and five assists in 47 minutes to lead the Thunder over Houston 125-124 on Tuesday and then upset the same team he beat in June's NBA Finals.
Gilgeous-Alexander now has 90 points, the fifth-highest two-game total in NBA history. Only Wilt Chamberlain had more with 106 and 105, Anthony Davis with 95 and Michael Jordan with 91.
But the 92 1/2 minutes he's already played are paying off, and that may explain why he missed shots late in regulation and at the end of the first overtime that could have won the game.
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“I'm tired,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, noting that's why he hugged some of his teammates after the game. “But it's a good way to break the ice and strengthen my cardiovascular system. It's certainly not ideal.”
And it's not just the Pacers or Rockets that will have to contend with Gilgeous-Alexander's complex playstyle. He has a clever plan to keep the MVP conversation going nearly every night.
“Honestly, I just play and then if they stop something, I have some counters,” he said. “If they stop those (counterattacks), I'll have a few more counterattacks, and by then, usually the punches start falling. That's how it all happens.”
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NBA AP: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Michael Marot, Associated Press
