The Oklahoma City Thunder suffered a harsh blow in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, suffering a dominant 143-101 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The New MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, faced relentless challenges from the Target Center crowd throughout the game. The chants grew louder, especially when he stepped to the free-throw line, and fans taunted him as a “free-throw merchant.”
Despite the disappointing outcome, Gilgeous-Alexander stands strong, focusing on the bigger picture. In the post-game press talk, reflecting on the game, he said, “We got punched in the mouth today, and next game we’re either gonna get back up or not, and we’ll lose a game.” He looked ahead to the must-win game 4.
"We got punched in the mouth today, and next game we're either gonna get back up or not and we'll lose a game." 🗣️
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 25, 2025
SGA on embracing the challenge of a series and looking ahead to Game 4. pic.twitter.com/KKm6o8V4Dy
The Timberwolves’ defense proved too much for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led the Thunder throughout the series. He struggled to get going offensively, finishing with a significantly lower point total than usual and adding to his frustrations with several turnovers.
Despite his shooting struggles, which were in sharp contrast to the impressive performance, his words in the post-game conference proved that he set the stage for what could be a defining moment in the series, where the Thunder will need their star to lead them to a crucial bounce-back delivery.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Takes Responsibility As The Oklahoma City Thunder Prepares For Game 4
Surrounded by a significant Game 3 loss frustration, the Thunder endured a tough outing against the Minnesota Timberwolves following a commanding 2-0 lead in the first two games. Gilgeous-Alexander scored a season low 14 points, which is his lowest in a postseason game since 2020, and took full accountability for the loss.
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“We didn’t bring it from an energy and focus standpoint. To sum it up, we didn’t have it.” He said after the game. “They had it with the sense of urgency that they could go down 3-0. We eased into the game, and they didn’t. They blitzed us pretty early,” He added more. (Via- NBA Analysis)
Looking forward to a must-win game 4, the Thunder remains determined to bounce back. As favorites to win the 2025 title, Gilgeous-Alexander plans to lead the charge, hoping to show why he is considered the Thunder’s best player ever.
Also Read: How Much Did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Spend To Celebrate His MVP Award With Teammates? Find Out
