OKC Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was made for the postseason

Gilgeous-Alexander has shone in critical OKC Thunder playoff games

Gilgeous-Alexander also benefited from two postseason campaigns and performed well in both instances. In his rookie season, he faced the Golden State Warriors as the Clippers pushed them to six games. In his first season with the Thunder, he was an integral part of the clutch time crew who pushed the Rockets to Game 7.

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Comparing SGA’s playoff production to his regular-season output offers hints of his potential. While his point tally went down slightly (19.0 to 16.3) his assists increased. More importantly, his perimeter efficiency dramatically increased from 34.7 percent to 40.0 percent even though he also increased his attempts (3.6 to 5.0).

Another area the young guard witnessed improvement from the regular season to the playoffs was his defense. With a more concerted effort to prepare for a series, SGA witnessed his defensive box improve from a positive +0.4 to +1.2. Considering his defensive assignment often featured trying to slow and limit Russell Westbrook that’s an impressive resume fact.

Those heady stats occurred last season with veterans like Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari, and Steven Adams on the court. The prior season, it was Gallo and Lou Williams who he had the benefit of playing with as a rookie.

In both cases, he rose to the challenge and showed signs he’ll be among the group of young players who excels when the lights are brighter. Perhaps the most notable takeaway was the closeout games in both of his playoff appearances.

In the Clippers closeout game versus the Warriors in 2019, Gallinari was the top scorer with 29 points but Gilgeous-Alexander had a more productive game overall. To wit, Gallo shot 11 of 24 from the field (45.8%) and 3 of 7 from deep (42.9%) while collecting five rebounds, two steals, and a block.

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In contrast, SGA took 10 fewer shots making 8 of 14  (57.1%) and 2 of 4 from deep (50%) to score 21 points.  but was more efficient. Like Gallinari, he grabbed five rebounds and got to the line six times, but he also dished six assists and added a block.

Similarly, with OKC in Game 7 versus the Rockets, Shai scored 19 points with three rebounds, four assists, and two steals. What stood out in this final game was his trademark efficiency – – Shai shot 6 of 11 from the field (54.5%), 3 of 4 from the perimeter (75%), and 4 of 4 from the line (100%). Those percentages were his highest in the series.

The major takeaway from these points is when the lights are the brightest and the games are the most intense SGA has shone. His ability to change speed and drive the paint will be even better served in the slower postseason pace and isolation ball that inevitably end games.

Youngsters like Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, Devin Booker, and Donovan Mitchell have delivered in those bright playoff lights. To clarify, I’m not suggesting Gilgeous-Alexander will necessarily look to score 35 points each game although it won’t be surprising if he throws in a few of those games. Rather, I envision SGA taking after his mentor CP3 to get his teammates all actively involved, hit shots with efficiency, play decoy at times to open up easy shots and when it’s clutch time step up and take over.

The bottom line is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is ready-made to flourish as a star in the postseason. The only unfortunate part is he’ll have to wait until the OKC Thunder have reformulated the roster. No doubt by that point he’ll be chomping at the bit to be back vying for playoff supremacy.