Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been lumped with the best ever in the NBA after winning his second straight Most Valuable Player award. He is still fortifying his standing as he tries to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to another league championship.
SGA and the Thunder are tied with the San Antonio Spurs at three games apiece in their best-of-seven Western Conference Finals. They are looking to emerge on top when they host Game 7 at home on Saturday evening.
Advertisement
Unlike in their previous playoff series, the reigning league MVP has been having a tougher time against the Spurs. San Antonio has capitalized on its length and varied defensive schemes to disrupt Gilgeous-Alexander’s usual rhythm.
Jay Williams thinks it’s time for a SGA legacy moment
Speaking on ESPN’s “Get Up” program, player-turned-analyst Jay Williams underscored the need for SGA to play at a level that is up to the standards he has set for himself in the win-or-go-home Game 7. It is not only to keep the Thunder’s title defense alive but also to enhance his legacy among the greats.
Advertisement
“I feel like it’s a legacy moment for SGA in a Game 7, uh, tomorrow night. Mostly because he’s been getting strapped up in this series,” Williams said.
“And we keep having these discussions about where he fits in amongst the Pantheon of the greats, players that have been back-to-back MVPs, back-to-back world champions. And when you start comparing him to the likes of Michael Jordan and Kobe [Bryant] [you have to deliver],” he added.
SGA capped below average
SGA is still balling in the WCF with averages of 24.3 points, 8.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds. They, however, are below his regular-season numbers, particularly in scoring, when he averaged 31.1 points.
Advertisement
More telling, his efficiency has been severely affected by the Spurs’ defense, which has reduced him to shooting 37.9 percent from the field and 26.1 percent from three, a far cry from his regular-season norms of 55.3 percent and 36.0 percent, respectively.
Game 6 on Thursday was representative of the toll that the Spurs’ defense has had on Gilgeous-Alexander. In their 118-91 loss to Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio, the Thunder leader was limited to just 15 points on 6-of-18 shooting and 0-of-5 from three.
After a close count of 60-53 at the half, with the Spurs ahead, San Antonio blew things wide open in the third quarter when it outscored the defending champion, 32-13. The team was never threatened from there.
Advertisement
May 28, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball against San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) in the first half during game six of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn ImagesReady for Game 7
While they have found themselves in a tough battle against the Spurs, the Thunder should still feel better because they are at home for Game 7 and can feed off the energy emanating from the home crowd. They have been difficult to beat on home turf this campaign, going 34-8 in the regular season, an outstanding .810 winning percentage.
All-Star forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) is expected to miss Game 7. But the Thunder have seen several players step up in the postseason, including midseason acquisition Jared McCain, which should cushion the loss of Williams.
Advertisement
SGA has also expressed his readiness for the big game, looking to get out of his slump and take his team to victory.
“A lot of the shots that I’m shooting, I’ve shot plenty of times before and they feel good. They’re just not going in. But it’s too late to abandon my work and abandon my game and who I am. This late in the season, I’ve got to trust it and live or die by it,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
Anything can happen in a Game 7, but if the Thunder are to have a better shot at winning, the real SGA should stand up and lead his squad to the promised land.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.