Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Responds to ‘Flopper’ Chants From Spurs Fans in Game 3: ‘It Doesn’t Fuel Me’

The Thunder won Game 3 over the Spurs, 123–108, to go up 2–1 in the Western Conference finals, and it might’ve been the most impressive win of the postseason for Oklahoma City. San Antonio started the contest with a 15–0 run that could have inspired panic vs. a lesser opponent in a crucial playoff game. Instead the Thunder remained calm, fought back and took a lead in the second quarter that they would not relinquish.

The real stars of the game came off the OKC bench. Jaylin Williams and Jared McCain combined for 42 points as the Thunder subs set a franchise playoff record in scoring 76 points (of the team’s 123 overall). They managed to overshadow the roster’s reigning two-time MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had another somewhat quiet scoring night with 26 points on 6-for-17 shooting but more than made up for his subpar percentages with 12 assists.

Of course, the superstar also took more than his fair share of free throw attempts, finishing with 12 attempts from the charity stripe. SGA entered Game 3 averaging a clean 10 free throw attempts per game, by far the most of any player still playing this postseason, and the conversation around his habit to exaggerate contact to draw fouls remains a prominent storyline in these NBA playoffs.

During the third quarter, in which there were whistles aplenty and the teams combined for more than 30 free throw attempts in the 12 minutes, frustration boiled over for Spurs fans. After SGA drew a foul call by hitting the deck, tens of thousands of San Antonio fans serenaded the MVP with a booming “Flopper! Flopper!” chant. It went on for a surprisingly long time and was crystal-clear through the broadcast audio.

"Flopper" chants in San Antonio 😅

(via @TSN_Sports) pic.twitter.com/i8y2vuw3dd
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 23, 2026

It’s not a unique chant to be directed at Gilgeous-Alexander, but it was certainly the most aggressive version he has heard this postseason. But when asked about the matter after the game, the Thunder star channeled his inner Don Draper.

During an postgame interview on the court, SGA was asked if such chants fuel him to perform at a higher level. His response was simple.

“It does nothing,” Gilgeous-Alexander said bluntly. “Doesn’t fuel me. Doesn’t discourage me. It’s part of the game. It’s nothing. I’ve been dealing with it a long time. I don’t really hear it, I’m focused on what’s going on on the court.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the "flopper" chants:

"It does nothing. Doesn't fuel me, doesn't discourage me. It's part of the game. I've been dealing with it a long time. I don't really hear it."pic.twitter.com/RXzQ7cvKOQ
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 23, 2026

It was around this time last year that ESPN was discussing how Gilgeous-Alexander was a “free throw merchant," so he has definitely heard it before. And SGA is a particularly unflappable star who has rarely, if ever, lost his cool on the court. It was a good try by Spurs fans, but this is pretty much what we’d expect to hear from the superstar.

So far this series, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging a hair over nine free throw attempts per game, more or less in line with his playoff average. It is undeniably a big part of his game, and when he’s shooting the ball poorly, it becomes more glaringly obvious how advantageous his trips to the charity stripe can be for OKC. Friday night won’t be the last time Spurs fans get annoyed enough with that habit this series.

What Spurs coach said about SGA’s free throw attempts

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson was asked about Gilgeous-Alexander’s 12 attempts from the line after his team lost on Friday. He said “undisciplined” defense was the primary cause rather than point any finger toward officiating or SGA himself.

“Probably half of them were from undisciplined first off the floor (fouls),” Johnson said. “He got us out of position and he took advantage of it. ... I know a few of them were pretty good defense, it felt like, up until (the whistle). It’s tough because he gets to spots and he makes tough shots, but you have to keep fighting that urge to try to do more and stay with it. ... Those 12 free throws helped out a lot and I can remember at least a few in my head right now that were undisciplined on our end.”

No matter your opinion on how SGA earns his foul shots, the fact of the matter is that he is going to get to the line a handful of times every night no matter what. The Spurs’ job is to ensure, to the best of their ability, that those fouls are earned rather than gifted by the defense. Johnson doesn’t think they did their best in that regard on Friday.

More NBA playoffs from Sports Illustrated

Listen to SI’s NBA podcast, Open Floor, below or on Apple and Spotify. Watch the show on SI’s YouTube channel.

Add us as a preferred source on Google