With the Oklahoma City Thunder down 2-1 in the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made it clear there’s no room for fatigue.
“You’ve got to suck it up,” said the NBA MVP on Thursday, a day after Indiana surged in the fourth quarter to claim Game 3 and take the series lead. “There’s a maximum of four games left in the season. This is what we worked all season and all summer for. You just have to get it done and try to get a win.”
Although Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t cite fatigue as a reason for his quiet fourth quarter in Game 3, he scored only three points in the final period and committed six turnovers, the most he’s had in a playoff game. He had scored 72 points combined in the first two games, including 34 in OKC’s Game 2 win.
Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard, who has played a key role in defending the Thunder star, credited team defense for slowing him down. “We’re just trying to be persistent and make it tough on him,” Nembhard said.
Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged that tough games come with the territory. “I’ve had games where I’ve been great late and others where I’ve struggled. It’s just part of who I am,” he said.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault expressed full confidence in his star’s ability to bounce back. “One of his strengths is the ability to move on to the next moment. He’s the last guy I’m worried about.”
