Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Sets Social Media on Fire With Impressive 2024 Olympic Debut

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The Oklahoma City Thunder have sent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort to the Olympics to compete for their home country, Canada. On Saturday, Team Canada opened up their Group play stage with a battle against Team Greece in a thrilling win to push the Canadians to 1-0 entering game two against 1-0 Team Australia on Monday.
Gilgeous-Alexander was spectacular in his 2024 Olympic debut as Team Canada pushed past Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece. Despite late runs by Team Greece, the Canadians pushed through with plenty of highlights from the OKC Thunder duo went sent Social Media into a frenzy reacting to day one of Olympic basketball.
The runner-up for the 2024 NBA MVP award turned in 21 points, four rebounds, seven assists, a steal and two blocks en route to shooting 50 percent from the floor, 2-for-3 from beyond the arc and shooting daggers into Team Greece for the win.
Dort spent most of the game in foul trouble but was still able to chip in eight points, swipe a steal, haul in four rebounds and dish out a couple of assists while shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc.
With plenty of expectations surrounding Team Canada, the team delivered in their first test during their group of death which will see clashes with Team Australia and Spain to close out this stage.
Shai doing Shai things on the world stage
— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) July 27, 2024
Here’s why Greece didn’t want SGA to even catch the ball. He’s a bad man. pic.twitter.com/V9lfcR6lJQ
— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) July 27, 2024
SGA is moving like a legitimate facilitator with plenty of his touches, not just someone getting off the ball when they lose their scoring advantage. All while still finding the time to get his.
— Joel Lorenzi (@jxlorenzi) July 27, 2024
Canada's NBA star power propels them to victory against Greece! 🇨🇦 #Paris2024
— NBA (@NBA) July 27, 2024
RJ Barrett: 23 PTS, 4 REB
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 21 PTS, 7 AST
Dillon Brooks: 14 PTS, 6 REB pic.twitter.com/qsjeRKHl72
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. No words.
— Ross Lovelace (@Rosslovelace) July 27, 2024
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Olympic debut:
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) July 27, 2024
21 Points
4 Boards
7 Assists
1 Steal
2 Blocks
5/10 FG
2/3 3PT
Canada 1-0 pic.twitter.com/Al6U42akjs
Canada-Greece was terrific. Really fun game. This has been a great start to the Olympics so far!
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 27, 2024
2 is nice.
— therealjalenwilliams (@jdubwttp) July 27, 2024
Shai!! What a baller! Fun game GRE v. CAN! 43” to go. CAN up4
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) July 27, 2024
Back-to-back threes from Dort and SGA to push Canada’s lead back to 10 over Greece. We love you, @okcthunder! 💪🇨🇦
— J.E. Skeets (@jeskeets) July 27, 2024
Shai is really just on another planet.
— 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗠. 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼 (@SuaveCEO_) July 27, 2024
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Rylan Stiles is a credentialed media member covering the Oklahoma City Thunder. He hosts the Locked On Thunder Podcast, and is Lead Beat Writer for Inside the Thunder. Rylan is also an award-winning play-by-play broadcaster for the Oklahoma Sports Network.
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