Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a crucial 128-126 win in Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Monday. After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander kindly stopped by to sign autographs for fans outside the arena, but got heckled by a Timberwolves supporter while doing so.
“How much you pay the refs, Shai?” the fan said. “Goofy bro, your a** plays like s***.”
“How much you pay the refs?”
T Wolves fan to SGA 😳 (via isseballer_/TT) pic.twitter.com/iDdKTUvwyH
— Overtime (@overtime) May 27, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander paid no attention to the fan and kept signing. You admire the fact that he kept his composure there and didn’t just walk off in frustration.
Gilgeous-Alexander has quickly become one of the most polarizing stars in the NBA. The three-time All-Star has developed a reputation as a foul baiter, and Timberwolves fans have been up in arms about the calls he has been getting in this series.
In Game 4, Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 points (13-30 FG), nine rebounds, 10 assists, and one steal. The 26-year-old went 12-14 from the line, but it’s important to add some context to that. Of those 14 attempts, six came at the end of the game when the Timberwolves were intentionally fouling.
So, Gilgeous-Alexander only really shot eight free throws in the normal flow of the game. That’s not exactly scandalous, but he has gotten a lot of calls in this series.
Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 11.8 free throws per game against the Timberwolves, and that is a fairly high number. The intentional fouling is not affecting that statistic too much, as it only took place in Game 4.
Timberwolves fans have been heckling Gilgeous-Alexander with “free throw merchant” chants, but he looks set to have the last laugh. The Thunder are up 3-1 in the Western Conference Finals and just need one more win to send the Timberwolves home.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Does Not Care About The “Free Throw Merchant” Label
While some players might be offended by all the “free-throw merchant” chants and label, Gilgeous-Alexander claims he isn’t one of them. The 2025 MVP made it clear he does not care about it.
“The way I see it is that fans, they can do whatever they can do to help get you and knock me off my game… that’s their job. That’s what creates homecourt advantage,” said the Thunder guard. “I’d expect nothing less. But in terms of the label, I don’t care, never cared.”
“I’ve said this before, I’ve shot more free throws in a season than I did this season,” he added. “I think because we’re on the top of everyone’s radar and looking more noticeable, so now people care about it. I’ve got to see it as a compliment.”
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 8.8 free throw attempts per game in 2024-25, and that wasn’t close to being his career-high. Back in 2022-23, he averaged 10.9 attempts per game, and as he stated, no one cared.
Gilgeous-Alexander is not going to change his ways just because opposing fans, players, and coaches now have a problem with his style of play. He only cares about winning and is ever so close to his first appearance in the NBA Finals.
Game 5 between the Thunder and Timberwolves will be at Paycom Center on Wednesday at 8:30 PM ET.
