Why NBA fans are furious with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — again
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander faced backlash during Game 1 win over the Lakers.
Why NBA fans are furious with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — again originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Not everyone seriously expected the Los Angeles Lakers to steal Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder .
The Thunder went 4-0 against Los Angeles in the regular season, winning by an average margin of 29. 3 points. Between the Thunder's depth and the Lakers' missing Luka Doncic and managing Austin Reaves’ injury, the matchup was always lopsided.
Yet the main takeaway from the Thunder's 108–90 victory was a two-minute flop reel of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander that went viral on social media before halftime. Viral flop reel of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ignites social media Chet Holmgren’s 24 points and 12 rebounds led the Thunder to a 108–90 win. LeBron James had 27, but the Lakers fell behind early and never recovered.
So, the result was never really in doubt. What was in doubt for many fans watching was whether SGA was going to get any calls and whether he even deserved them. A compilation video posted on X by @Hero_OfThe_Day shows 2 minutes and 15 seconds of SGA and other OKC players dramatically falling, flailing their arms, whipping their heads back and throwing their bodies to the floor after light or no contact from Lakers defenders.