Shai Gilgeous-Alexander explains why he told teammate to calm down after clutch shot
SGA had a viral moment with Jared McCain after a clutch shot in Game 2. Here's what was said.
It doesn't seem as if much phases Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The two-time MVP helped the Oklahoma City Thunder even the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night, recording 30 points and nine assists, including a clutch midrange jumper to put OKC ahead by seven with under a minute to go. It turns out the Spurs' relentless defense wasn't the only distraction SGA faced on that shot.
Jared McCain was apparently yelling at Gilgeous-Alexander from the top of the key as he had an open look for 3. It led to a hilarious viral moment in which immediately after the shot went down, Gilgeous-Alexander turned to McCain and told him rather emphatically to calm down. While you've got to trust your franchise cornerstone in crunch time, McCain's willingness to ask for the ball in that spot is admirable.
The second-year guard is shooting 47. 2% from 3 in his first career postseason run, and in Game 2 he went 3 of 9 from deep. SGA won't pass that shot up often, but it's good for him to know he has a willing teammate to kick the ball out to should the defense prove too cumbersome.
Until then, here's SGA's explanation for why he told McCain to pump the brakes. "Jared was yelling at me while I was shooting, and I was just like, 'Bro, I'm shooting. Don't distract me,'" Gilgeous-Alexander said.