The Oklahoma City Thunder shocked the Minnesota Timberwolves in Conference Finals Game 1 with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge.
Shai led the Thunder side with 31 points during his play, but that’s not his only deliverable. He led his side in foul-baiting, too.
During the Game 1, Gilgeous-Alexander, on multiple occasions, played chippy tricks to draw as many fouls as he could. And that’s just another reason he’s called the ‘free throw merchant.’
Nobody touching him 😭 pic.twitter.com/FimyRkKSOm
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) May 21, 2025
After the game, a particular angle where the camera captured an absurd angle of Shai’s foul-baiting while charging towards the basket. Right before making his jump attempt, Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and Mike Conley Jr. were right there. Still, they did not make any contact with him.
Despite being let free to orchestrate his play, the OKC Thunder star still chose to bait for a foul.
And that did not sit well with the NBA fans on social media.
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NBA Fans Lash Out At Shai Gilgeous-Alexander For Phantom Foul-Drawing Trick
The Thunder secured their WC Finals spot with a decisive victory in the series’ final game, winning 125-93. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge by scoring 35 points.
However, the hoop fans got irritated by his recent behavior despite a praiseworthy series of performances.
“Bruh he needs to be fined for this,” a fan wrote.
Bruh he needs to be fined for this
— Stretch (@StretchDontMiss) May 21, 2025
“SGA FACE THE MOMENT A BREEZE OF AIR TOUCHES HIM,” another fan commented.
SGA FACE THE MOMENT A BREEZE OF AIR TOUCHES HIM pic.twitter.com/lsbZuS715Z
— Pearnivore (@Pearnivore) May 21, 2025
“This dude is so easy to dislike just by how he plays,” a third fan wrote.
This dude is so easy to dislike just by how he plays
— Bobby Geee (@B0bbyGeee) May 21, 2025
“How come every time he drives he looks like he watched The Ring vhs 7 days ago,” another fan added.
How come every time he drives he looks like he watched The Ring vhs 7 days ago 💀
— Item Select (@ItemSelect_) May 21, 2025
“SGA is the fakest free-throw merchant superstar that’s ever existed,” another comment read.
SGA is the fakest free throw merchant superstar that's ever existed.
— Bo Nix Saved My Life (@bigstrongjuicy) May 21, 2025
“What’s wrong with his face,” a fan quipped.
What’s wrong with his face
— VegasCheesehead (@Shady_Justin) May 21, 2025
“Honestly, this is so bad for the league,” a user wrote.
Honestly, this is so bad for the league
— Buck Know (@MiscWolvesStats) May 21, 2025
“As soon as he feels contact, exaggerates losing balance and pretends he was assaulted,” a fan said.
As soon as he feels contact, exaggerates losing balance and pretends he was assaulted
— Tom Dalsaso, Jr. (@DalsasoJr) May 21, 2025
Let’s hope this ends soon, as no Thunder fan would love his MVP candidate getting to the ground too often.
