Shai lets his game do the talking while Alex Caruso makes MVP case after Thunder win

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took control when the Thunder needed him most, scoring 11 straight points in the fourth quarter before helping Oklahoma City close out another tough win.

When asked about his mindset late in the game, Gilgeous-Alexander kept it simple.

“I needed to go get the game,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “A lot of times I try to let the game come to me… Tonight I just felt like I needed to go take it. I needed to go be aggressive. I needed to go make plays. I needed to score the ball specifically.”

Despite the scoring surge, Gilgeous-Alexander also trusted teammates in key moments, finding Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso for critical shots.

“They started sending multiple bodies,” he said. “From there, the reads… become easier for my teammates. It was just up to me to find a balance between taking it and finding them open.”

When the conversation turned to the MVP race, Gilgeous-Alexander downplayed the chatter.

“I think it’s good for the league… It gives people something to talk about,” he said. “There’s a lot of good players in this league.”

Asked if he wanted to campaign for himself, Shai declined.

“No, I’m good… I’ll let my game do the talking.”

While Gilgeous-Alexander stayed modest, Alex Caruso had no problem making the case.

Caruso praised Shai’s mentality in clutch moments, calling it one of the defining traits of an MVP-level player.

“He was… best guard in the world for a reason,” Caruso said. “His mentality in those moments is magnificent to watch and be a part of… When he has that look and that mindset to just will yourself to wins, it’s a great thing to witness.”

Caruso also pointed to Shai’s performance and consistency as evidence.

“Just watch the games,” Caruso said. “He got a game-winner against the number one seed in the East called off tonight… His game does a lot of talking. Not much I need to say for him.”

Even with the MVP debate heating up, the Thunder star continues to focus on winning — and letting his performance speak for itself.

And as Caruso made clear, those inside the Thunder locker room believe the case is already being made.