Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had the final word, and he made sure everyone heard it. After guiding the Oklahoma City Thunder to a commanding 125-93 Game 7 victory over the Denver Nuggets, the MVP frontrunner sent a clear message that served as a mic drop to all the critics who doubted him throughout the series.
“They thought I was whyling when I was smiling,” Gilgeous-Alexander posted on Instagram hours after the win, referencing a viral photo of him grinning after Oklahoma City’s overtime loss in Game 3.
At that point, the Thunder had just fallen behind 2-1 in the series, and critics were quick to jump in, questioning Gilgeous-Alexander’s mentality and doubting the Thunder’s chances against the Nuggets. That smile of his? It wasn’t arrogance—it was quiet confidence.
In Game 7, Gilgeous-Alexander was nothing short of spectacular. He poured in 35 points on 12-of-19 shooting, while also contributing four assists, three steals, three rebounds, a block, and zero turnovers in 36 minutes.
But beyond the stats, it was his poise and control that truly stood out. Every possession he played had purpose, and his ability to dismantle Denver’s defense, anchored by three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, reminded everyone why he’s seen as the face of the NBA’s next generation.
Despite having led the league in scoring, earned All-NBA honors, and carried a young, untested team to the top seed in the West, Gilgeous-Alexander still finds himself needing to prove his greatness.
But after knocking out Jokic and the Nuggets, Gilgeous-Alexander took full control of the narrative, shutting out the noise with just nine cold-blooded words.
Now, the Thunder are headed to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016, where they’ll face the Minnesota Timberwolves and a familiar foe in Anthony Edwards. The matchup is set to be a thrilling one, but the true headline of this postseason might be Gilgeous-Alexander’s transformation from a promising scorer to a bona fide superstar.
Oklahoma City’s playoff run has been driven by more than just raw talent. There’s a maturity in SGA’s game that’s seeped into the entire locker room. The 26-year-old has shown remarkable composure under pressure, staying calm even after a Game 3 loss that could’ve swung the momentum in Denver’s favor.
Rather than crumbling, he responded with back-to-back 30-point performances, capping it all off with his Game 7 masterpiece. Over the final four games of the series, he averaged 30.8 points, 5.8 assists, and 1.6 steals, shooting over 52% from the field.
Most importantly, he didn’t flinch.
“They thought I was smiling because I lost,” he later clarified. “But I smiled because I knew we weren’t done.”
With OKC now just four wins away from an NBA Finals appearance, it’s clear: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t just smiling. He’s conquering. And the rest of the league better take notice.
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