Inside The Nuggets

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Gets Honest on Scoreless Overtime in Nuggets-Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took the blame for his team's overtime loss to the Nuggets in Game 3

Matt Guzman

May 9, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena.
May 9, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
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Walking off the court after falling to the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of the second round, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander couldn't help but smile.

"Some fans were taunting me," he said. "I don't ever want to show them that I'm defeated or mad. Nothing's written, the series is definitely not over and we have a lot to be optimistic about”

The Thunder fell 113-104 in overtime Friday night after Gilgeous-Alexander failed to score, or even attempt a shot, in the extra period. He took full responsibility.

"In those moments when the game slows down, it usually comes down to your best players making shots and making plays," the point guard explained, "and I didn't do a good enough job of that tonight."

After suffering a late loss in Game 1, Oklahoma City responded by topping the Nuggets by 43 in Game 2 to even the series. Now, it faces a deficit as another game in Denver awaits.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault chalked it up to his squad still gaining experience.

"We are in the process of becoming a great team," he said. "We’ve checked a lot of boxes in that process. And one thing that it takes to be a great team is you get taken to the limit in the playoffs. You’ve got a rise to the challenges that you're confronted with."

I have full confidence we'll continue to do that," he added, "but we have to embrace what this is. It's the playoffs.”

Tipoff of Game 4 between the Thunder and Nuggets at Ball Arena is set for 3:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI and a staff writer for multiple collegiate sites in the same network. In the world of professional sports, he is a firm believer that athletes are people, too, and intends to tell stories of players and teams’ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

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