The OKC Thunder have been well-represented at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, highlighted by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s outburst for Team Canada, as he has looked like the best player on the floor in each FIBA World Cup game. On Wednesday morning, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played in a statement game against Dallas Mavericks Star Luka Doncic and Team Slovenia.
The NBA world and basketball fans from every corner of the globe circled this game the second the matchup was set. That left Twitter buzzing throughout an eventful contest between these two teams, which featured multiple ejections. While Luka Doncic and Dillon Brooks were forced to hit the showers early, that did not tame any of the Social Media buzz from this game.
Twitter Reacts to OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out-dueling Luka Doncic in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
After the 2023 NBA season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic were named to the First-Team All-NBA list. Some were concerned last season’s serge was a fluke, but this game from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should silence any doubters.
There were no answers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who popped off to take Canada to the Semi-Finals and earn TCL Player of the Game honors 💪
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 6, 2023
📊 31 PTS | 10 REB | 4 AST | 2 STL | 67% FG | 40 EFF#FIBAWC x #WinForCanada 🇨🇦 | #InspireGreatness pic.twitter.com/WeSThagWll
Luka vs Shai step-back three competition. NEED.#FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/EGQneI0qbr
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 6, 2023
hey Siri: play Smooth Operator 🧣#FIBAWC x #WinForCanada 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/6hwLRjL05B
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 6, 2023
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 🍿 pic.twitter.com/oXSvaJD298
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) September 6, 2023
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
— TF (@ThunderFocus) September 6, 2023
THE #1 PLAYER IN THE WORLD AT #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/EXaOLgPVVz
if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn't already a household name in 🇨🇦 — it better be now#FIBAWC | #WinForCanada | #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/3t47xd6DLj
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) September 6, 2023
SGA is incredibly dialed in, being productive in every way.
— Kade Kimble (@kadekimble) September 6, 2023
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the first Canadian player with multiple 30-point games at a single World Cup since @LeoRautins did it twice in 1978.
— Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau) September 6, 2023
The Oklahoma City Thunder faithful must be encouraged by what they have seen from their max contract point guard on the FIBA World Cup stage. He continues his effective shooting, scoring well, and massive defensive plays to swing games.
It gives a glimpse into the future for Oklahoma City fans who expect this Thunder team to win a lot of games in the coming season and beyond.
With this win, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Team Canada have punched their ticket to the Semi-Final round against Team Serbia. That contest will tip off on Friday, September 8th, 2023, at 3:45 A.M. central time. The game can be found on ESPN+ (subscription required).