Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did his best to keep Oklahoma City alive in Game 7, finishing with 35 points and nine assists against San Antonio.
But it was not enough. The Thunder fell 111-103, with Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Williams absent as Mitch Johnson’s Spurs closed out the Western Conference Finals.
While Gilgeous-Alexander’s final performance was strong, the series left him with a statistic no MVP wants to carry.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sets unwanted MVP shooting record
Across the seven games against San Antonio, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 25.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 8.9 assists and 1.9 steals.
Those numbers were not bad, especially given the defensive focus he drew. But his efficiency took a hit, as he shot just 40.9% from the field.
According to Real App, that was the lowest field-goal percentage by an MVP in a Western Conference Finals series since 1956.
For a player known for his control, balance and elite shot-making, it showed how well the Spurs disrupted his rhythm.
Gilgeous-Alexander admitted as much after the loss. “It’s no secret their team had success guarding me,” he said on Sunday.
“So, yes, a lot of those games will be watched to figure it out,” he added, acknowledging that the film review will be uncomfortable but necessary.
The Thunder did not lose because their MVP disappeared. They lost because San Antonio made him work harder for everything, and even the Canadian guard appears to know this.
