3 Takeaways from epic Game 1 escape for Thunder vs the Pelicans

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put Thunder on his back

A few hours before tip-off, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was announced as one of the three finalists for this season’s Most Valuable Player award. As the final minutes of the fourth quarter rolled along, the OKC Thunder superstar proved his billing and put the team on his shoulders. 

Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 28 points, but none bigger than his go-ahead three-point play in the final minute as the Thunder averted collapse versus the Pelicans. 

Guarded by an elite defender in Herb Jones, SGA made the basket that tied the game at 90 via a 20-foot pull-up jumper before nailing a tough and-one floater that almost blew the roof off of the arena.

Gilegous-Alexander finished with an 11-of-24 shooting clip and went 6-of-7 from the free throw line. 

Shai, with his stoic attitude throughout the game, looked laser-focus in delivering the Thunder their first Game 1 win since 2017-18.

He was decisive in his drives, strong against the Pelicans’ physicality, and was as sharp as ever on both ends. Simply put, he played like a superstar in what was just his first playoff game in four years. 

SGA carried himself like the elite baller that he is in this game. When the final three minutes happened, the Thunder knew who they would give the ball to.

They also knew he could lift them toward a win, and he did.