In a heartbreaking end to a promising season, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took accountability for a costly mistake that led to his team’s elimination from the playoffs.
“I shouldn’t have fouled him. We talked about it all year, the little things that go into winning games… It sucks.”
“If I had the movement back, I wouldn’t have fouled him. I just would make him miss the shot, but in basketball, you win some, you lose some. You make mistakes.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: “I shouldn’t have fouled him.” Said he can’t/won’t watch replay. pic.twitter.com/NAWvIiobHD
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 19, 2024
In the post-game press conference, Gilgeous-Alexander expressed regret and accepted responsibility for the incident. He admitted that he shouldn’t have fouled Washington, acknowledging that the foul violated a fundamental aspect of winning basketball games: discipline. Shai reflected on the moment, stating that if he could redo it, he would have allowed Washington to take the shot rather than risk fouling him.
Despite the natural inclination to contest a critical referee decision, Gilgeous-Alexander displayed maturity by trusting the call made after a thorough review. He admitted that he had not and would not watch the replay of the foul, accepting the referees’ judgment and acknowledging his error. His acceptance and reflection on the mistake demonstrate his commitment to personal growth and improvement.
The Thunder, who had held a 17-point lead, ultimately lost Game 6 and the series to the Dallas Mavericks due to a last-second foul committed by Gilgeous-Alexander on P.J. Washington. The foul allowed Washington to sink the game-winning free throws.
Despite the heartbreaking conclusion to Oklahoma City Thunder’s season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance in Game 6 was nothing short of spectacular. He finished the game with 36 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 assists while shooting an impressive 14-25 from the field and 4-5 from three-point range, all without committing a single turnover.
Throughout the playoffs, Gilgeous-Alexander has been a dominant force. He averaged 30.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, shooting 49.6% from the field and 43.2% from three-point range. These numbers underscore his significance to the Thunder and his growth into one of the NBA’s elite players.
The loss marked the end of a season where the Thunder, led by their young core, exceeded expectations. As the youngest team in the NBA to win a playoff series, they showcased significant talent and potential. Under the guidance of coach Mark Daigneault, and with Gilgeous-Alexander at the helm, the Thunder’s future appears bright.
Despite the painful end, Gilgeous-Alexander’s accountability highlights his leadership qualities and the potential for greater success in the future. His ability to learn from mistakes and maintain a positive outlook bodes well for both his personal development and the team’s progress.
The Thunder’s journey, while cut short, serves as a valuable experience that will likely fortify their resolve and performance in the coming seasons.
NBA Opens Up On Controversial Ending To Mavericks-Thunder Series
The Dallas Mavericks’ victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of their playoff series ended amid controversy due to a critical foul call against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Foul called on the Thunder on this play with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and PJ Washington.
Good or bad call? 🤔pic.twitter.com/KCcJGbGepI
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 19, 2024
With only 2.5 seconds remaining and the Thunder clinging to a one-point lead, Gilgeous-Alexander was whistled for a foul on P.J. Washington during a three-point attempt. Washington subsequently made two out of three free throws, sealing the Mavericks’ 117-116 win and eliminating the Thunder.
The contentious nature of the foul call led to an official Pool Report where ESPN’s Tim MacMahon questioned Crew Chief Tony Brothers about the ruling. According to Brothers, the decision was based on Gilgeous-Alexander initially making contact with the ball but then illegally contacting Washington’s arm while he was still in control and in the act of shooting.
Brothers clarified that if the ball had been dislodged by Gilgeous-Alexander’s initial contact, subsequent contact would have been considered marginal and not worthy of a foul. However, because the ball remained in Washington’s control, the contact on his arm was deemed illegal.
This explanation did little to soothe the frustration of the Thunder and their fans, as the foul call significantly altered the game’s outcome. The Thunder, who were the top seed in the Western Conference, saw their season cut short by this controversial decision.
The foul call and subsequent free throws allowed the Mavericks to advance to the Western Conference Finals, leaving the Thunder to reflect on what could have been.
The ruling and its aftermath highlight the thin margins and high stakes of NBA playoff basketball, where a single call can dramatically influence the trajectory of a series. Despite the disappointing finish, the Thunder’s young team, led by Gilgeous-Alexander, showed tremendous potential and promise for future seasons.
OKC Head Coach On Season Ending Call
Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault expressed his thoughts on the controversial ending to his team’s season following their 117-116 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals. The pivotal moment came with 2.5 seconds remaining when Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was called for a foul on P.J. Washington’s three-point attempt.
The foul resulted in Washington making two game-winning free throws, ultimately sending the Mavericks to the Conference Finals and ending the Thunder’s playoff run.
After the game, Daigneault admitted that the decision to challenge the call was made out of desperation. He hoped that the review might overturn the foul and give his team a chance to hold on to their slim lead.
“I don’t have as good of a replay as they do on TV. He got ball, obviously, he got arm as well, I thought he might have gotten the ball first. And just in that situation, even without leaving myself a timeout, any chance we got to take points off the board and reverse that call would have been worth the risk.”
Mark Daigneault on the final foul call on Shai: pic.twitter.com/fsgxdZAwUL
— Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) May 19, 2024
The coach acknowledged that the Thunder initially believed Gilgeous-Alexander had made clean contact with the ball. However, upon reviewing the play, it was evident that there was contact with Washington’s arm, justifying the referees’ decision to uphold the foul call. This left the Thunder without any remaining timeouts and only a sliver of hope as Washington’s free throws sealed their fate.
In the game’s final moments, following Washington’s intentional miss on the third free throw, the Thunder had one last opportunity to snatch victory. Chet Holmgren secured the rebound and passed to Jalen Williams, but time expired before Williams could attempt a reasonable shot, ending the Thunder’s season in heart-wrenching fashion.
Reflecting on the series, Daigneault highlighted the tough but educational experience for his young team. The Thunder, despite being the top seed and boasting a successful season, fell short due to a combination of inexperience and the fine margins of playoff basketball. The coach emphasized that these moments, though painful, are invaluable learning opportunities for the team’s future.
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