Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could well be the crown jewel of basketball’s next dynasty, but he is also responsible for ripping another apart.
In this year’s NBA Finals, The Association’s MVP delivered the Thunder’s first championship since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008.
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SGA looks set to lead a new NBA dynasty, but was also responsible for ending oneCredit: Getty
OKC defeated the Indiana Pacers in seven games and SGA was named Finals MVP, capping off a remarkable season.
That title could be the first of many, as the domination we’ve seen throughout 2024-25 from OKC’s young core led by SGA, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren looks set to continue.
Throw in the fact that they are adding a forgotten 6-foot-6 point guard next season, and fans are already suggesting the ‘dynasty has been activated’.
But while Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates his first ring with Oklahoma City, many are just realizing he contributed to the downfall of Kevin Durant‘s Golden State Warriors when he was with the LA Clippers.
During his rookie season in 2018-19, the Western Conference was dominated by Steve Kerr’s Warriors.
They came into the campaign as two-time defending NBA champions, having won back-to-back titles.
Chasing a franchise-first three-peat, Golden State’s roster was stacked with talent that included Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green alongside Durant.
But in November 2018, the super team began to crumble, when Green and KD were involved in a high-profile bust up against the Clippers.
With the score tied at the end of regulation, Durant was upset about not getting a pass from Green as the seconds ticked away.
In the midst of a tough overtime loss that followed, the pair got into a heated verbal disagreement.
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Durant and Green’s relationship is said to have broken down against the ClippersCredit: Getty
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Their argument, in November 2018, led to KD leaving the teamCredit: Getty
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His departure ended the Warriors’ dynasty, and they failed to secure a three-peatCredit: Getty
Reports at the time suggested Green was frustrated by Durant clapping for the ball and being upset about not getting it for a possible game-winner.
Other sources claimed the star then crossed the line when he responded with a ‘very personal, expletive-laden tirade,’ which included Green questioning the two-time Finals MVP’s loyalty with his upcoming free agency.
Green was ultimately suspended by the Warriors for the following game for his role in the argument, which is said to have contributed to team’s overall breakup.
While the pair appeared to get over it in the weeks that followed, the uncomfortable nature of the public incident, combined with the fact that players and coaches were repeatedly asked about it, hovered over the Warriors for the rest of the season.
Golden State still made the NBA Finals, but fell short in their quest for a three-peat against the Toronto Raptors, and Durant departed shortly after.
While their argument is infamous, Gilgeous-Alexander’s role is far less known.
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SGA was the player who poked the ball away from Green in the infamous 2018 gameCredit: x: @BleacherReport
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Fans are only just realising how he contributed to the end of the Warriors dynastyCredit: x: @BleacherReport
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SGA is now looking to build a dynasty of his own in OKCNBA fans discover SGA’s role in breaking up Kevin Durant’s Warriors dynasty
Recently, a clip of the final seconds of that game between the Warriors and Clippers was shared by Bleacher Report, and shows that a rookie SGA poked the ball away from Green to cause the breakdown.
It has been viewed more than three million times in 48 hours, with many fans stunned to learn of Gilgeous-Alexander’s involvement.
“This ball poke really caused the downfall of Warriors,” one person claimed.
“So it’s SGA’s fault KD left Golden State?” another questioned.
“This is where it started. Draymond running teammates off the Warriors,” a third said.
“Crazy how one defensive play by rookie SGA triggered a whole Warriors meltdown,” a fourth wrote, while a fifth responded: “Ended a dynasty and is about to start one wow I’m shaking.”
Seven years on and Gilgeous-Alexander — who sent his OKC teammates lavish $17k gifts after being named MVP — has indeed helped establish the Thunder as the NBA’s new dominant force.
Now, both he and Durant are featured in the second season of his Netflix docu-series, Starting 5.
The new series landed on Netflix on Thursday, October 16 with eight episodes each with around a 45-minute runtime.
Season Two of the show follows the daily lives of five new NBA players — James Harden, Kevin Durant, Jaylen Brown, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Tyrese Haliburton (who got incredibly emotional in once scene) — throughout last season’s ups and downs.
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