Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander found himself at the center of controversy after Monday’s 128-126 Game 4 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The all-star player faces accusations of flopping to draw a foul on Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards. The incident sparked intense debate, with critics questioning the ethics of Gilgeous-Alexander’s strategies despite his stellar 40-point performance.
The controversial moment happened when Gilgeous-Alexander pushed the ball up the floor against Edwards’ defense. Edwards made a small hand check, but Shai fell to the court dramatically, frustrating many fans.
SGA just threw himself in front of Ant and they called a foul on Ant, no way😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ZB6I53mx1k
— Hoops (@HoopMixOnly) May 27, 2025
While the MVP had a career-high performance in that game, fans focused on his foul-drawing tactics, with some calling them unfair.
“I tried not to worry too much about scoring or making plays or whatever it was,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the game, “I tried to just lose myself in the competition, remain aggressive, pick my spots.”
Despite the speculations, Gilgeous-Alexander’s majestic delivery helped the Oklahoma City Thunder take a 3-1 series lead, putting them one game away from their first NBA final appearance since 2012. Game 5 is setting high expectations, where the Thunder will look to seal the series and send the Timberwolves out of the campaign.
Minnesota Timberwolves Fans Split Their Frustration On Shai Gilgeous-Alexander On Social Media
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Fans on social media were ready to criticize Gilgeous-Alexander for what they saw as an overreaction to minimal contact from Edwards. Many suggested he was trying to influence the referees and earn easy free throws.
A fan wrote, “Give SGA an Oscar and take back his MVP pls.“
Give SGA an Oscar and take back his MVP pls
— A-Town Breakdown (@ATown_Breakdown) May 27, 2025
Someone accused referees, commenting, “The refs are joking right?!”
The refs are joking right?!
— ZC (@ZcChild) May 27, 2025
A fan addressed MVP as “Most Valuable Flopper“.
MVF. Most Valuable Flopper.
— Rishi Mirpuri (@rishimirp) May 27, 2025
Tagging Thunder Shameless, one noted, “It’s soooooo bad. OKC has no shame, and the NBA just supports it.”
It’s soooooo bad. Okc has no shame and the nba just supports it
— Milan Hayden (@serbianwolf22) May 27, 2025
Someone accustomed to SGAs’ behavior wrote, “I’m tired of this nonsense.”
I’m tired of this nonsense
— 007Von (@Von007_) May 27, 2025
Here, one fan explains the scenario, posted, “Ant literally doesn’t even know he’s there. What the hell is the foul?”
Ant literally doesn’t even know he’s there. What the hell is the foul .?
— JaMahl Withanh (@JamahlWithanh) May 27, 2025
A fan, calling SGA a foul baiter and fake, commented, “Foul baiter at its best, sga fake ass“
Foul baiter at its best, sga fake ass
— Ninja Steven (@steven_vilare) May 27, 2025
A frustrated fan wrote, “This is pathetic.”
This is pathetic.
— TonyStark68 (@iron68man) May 27, 2025
The controversy over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s foul-drawing techniques continues to grow, with fans divided over whether his methods are clever strategy or pushing the limits of fairness. Besides the criticism, the Thunder Star stays locked in on his team’s playoff goals. With a spot in the NBA Finals to grab the title, all attention will turn to Game 5 as the Thunder looks to seal the series.
