{"id":714497,"date":"2026-04-20T09:37:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T09:37:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/714497\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T09:37:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T09:37:34","slug":"shai-gilgeous-alexander-reveals-true-feelings-on-getting-fouls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/714497\/","title":{"rendered":"Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Reveals True Feelings on Getting Fouls"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Shai\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a> got candid about getting to the free-throw line after the OKC Thunder blew out the Phoenix Suns<\/a> in Game 1 of their first-round series on Sunday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the game, Gilgeous-Alexander shot 17 free throws, and 15 of them as the Thunder took control early and never looked back to beat the Suns, 119-84.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gilgeous-Alexander attributed his knack for earning referees\u2019 calls and free throws to his frequency of drives to the baskets. The reigning MVP said attacking defenders and going to the rim will almost always allow the offensive players to fish for fouls.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you drive the ball a lot, you get fouled a lot just because most of the fouls happen on drives,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I drive the ball a lot, so that probably adds up to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you drive the ball a lot, you get fouled a lot just because most of the fouls happen on drives. And I drive the ball a lot, so that probably adds up to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on what goes into getting to the free throw line \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f<\/p>\n

Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 9.0 free throws per game, the second-most in the league this season behind LA Lakers\u2019 Luka Doncic<\/a>, who records 10.1 attempts per game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to NBA.com<\/a>, Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 18.8 drives per game, the third-most this season. Boston Celtics\u2019 Jalen Brown recorded the second-most in the league with 19.1 drives, while Deni Avdija<\/a> led the league with 19.4 per game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 25 points, four rebounds, and seven assists. He struggled from the field, shooting 5-of-18 from the field, including 0-of-4 from the 3-point line.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, the Thunder looked dominant from start to finish as Jalen Williams<\/a> provided an extra offensive punch with 22 points while Chet Holmgren chipped in 16 markers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The win marked the start of the Thunder\u2019s title defense. A championship this season would make them the first team to win back-to-back titles in eight years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Says Consistency Allows Him to be Better in Getting Fouls\"Shai<\/p>\n

GettyOklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been in the NBA<\/a> since 2018, transforming from a herky-jerky ball handler into a legitimate No. 1 option for a championship team.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Throughout the years, Gilgeous-Alexander has made himself an offensive machine by his sheer will to drive to the paint. According to him, he got so much better at getting fouls through constant improvement in different aspects of his game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve just tried to get better at many aspects over the years I\u2019ve been in the league and try to be able to attack teams\u2019 defenses in multiple ways,\u201d he said. I feel like I\u2019ve done so, I\u2019ve been able to score a few points because of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year, Gilgeous-Alexander also shot a career-best 38.6% from the 3-point area, adding more variety to his offensive game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, he remained notorious to fans and opposing teams for his perceived foul-baiting tendencies. Despite it, the Thunder maintained their aggressive approach on offense, resulting in 64 wins in the regular season and the top seed in the Western Conference for the third straight year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Takes on the Suns Again on Wednesday\"Shai<\/p>\n

GettyShai Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to lead the OKC Thunder once more in Game 2 against the Suns.<\/p>\n

The Thunder and the Suns will meet again for Game 2 on Wednesday, April 22, at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After Game 1, the Suns are expected to adjust to the Thunder\u2019s aggressiveness on both ends of the floor. A better start would also help correct what they did wrong in the series opener.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Game 3 will then happen on Saturday, April 25, in Phoenix. The Suns hope they would not be going back to their home floor down two games in the series. <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tRob Andrew Lo<\/a> Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler.
\n
\nA Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda.
\n More about Rob Andrew Lo<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Thunder\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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