Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is one of the premier talents in the league. Nevertheless, he has earned the nickname “Free Throw Merchant,” a label that’s been thrown around by various players, analysts, and fans. Despite facing this ongoing criticism, Thunder supporters staunchly defend him, pushing back against such negative comments and highlighting his considerable skills.
During Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the OKC Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves, ESPN NBA analyst Doris Burke sparked controversy by referring to Gilgeous-Alexander as a “free-throw merchant.” OKC fans quickly reacted, flooding social media with criticism of Burke on X (formerly Twitter). In a recent interview with ESPN, Burke addressed the backlash from OKC fans regarding her comment about Gilgeous-Alexander.
“Oklahoma City fans took exception to that. They didn’t like it. And usually, I can tell I feel like I’m doing a decent job when multiple fan bases are pissed off at me … at various times, Boston fans think I hate them, Knicks fans think I hate them, Sixers fans, and now Oklahoma City’s like, ‘why doesn’t Doris like SGA?’ I love SGA. Absolutely love him,” Burke said.
"The OKC fans took exception to that. They didn't like it. Usually, I can tell I feel like I'm doing a decent job when multiple fan bases are pissed off at me."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 5, 2025
Doris Burke on calling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a free throw merchant on the air.
(via @ESPN)pic.twitter.com/WQ0YX84xrt
Burke elaborated that her statement is situated within a more extensive narrative framework that has already been developed regarding SGA.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Performance In NBA Finals Game 1 Against The Indiana Pacers
The OKC Thunder recently played Game 1 of the NBA Finals series against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a stellar performance, playing for 40 minutes and scoring 38 points, along with three assists and five rebounds.
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Jalen Williams contributed by playing 36 minutes, scoring 17 points, and providing six assists and four rebounds. Luguentz Dort also played for 36 minutes, adding 15 points, one assist, and four rebounds to the team’s efforts. Despite their strong performances, the OKC Thunder lost the close game with a final score of 110-111. They will play Game 2 of the series at Paycom Center.
Also Read: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Becomes First Player Since Stephen Curry To Achieve A Unique Feat In NBA
