In what was a hard fought Game 3, Oklahoma City Thunder mega star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came under the duress of the Indiana Pacers defense. The MVP went through phases ranging from uncharacteristic turnover issues to forced shooting as he helped the Thunder lose the scoring battle in the fourth quarter, 32-18. From the standout shooting performance of game one, where he dropped 34 points and dish eight assists, this was a low point for him.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s six turnovers in Game 3 were the most he has ever committed in a playoff game. He rose to the challenge as an almost incidental primary defender. He had an impressive 22 field goal attempts defended, a personal best for the playoffs in his career. The Pacers employed a blitz strategy against him, launching 12 blitzes throughout the game, which proved effective in limiting his offensive contributions.
Inspiring as that effort was, Gilgeous-Alexander fought through that adversity to end the day with 24 points and four assists. He was an extreme liability in the all-important fourth quarter, managing just three points on 1-of-3 shooting. He didn’t register a single assist in that vital stretch of matches. The Pacers made him work hard for every step in the half court, picking him up an average of 65.5 feet from the basket.
After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander tried to dismiss fatigue being an excuse at play in his performance. He replied, “You just gotta deal with that,” when asked if all of the fatigue has affected his play.
After the Thunder’s dogged Game 3 performance, they found themselves deep in a 2-1 hole to the Pacers in this best-of-seven series. With just four games remaining in the season, the heat is starting to turn up as the Thunder look to get back on track.
Andrew Nembhard of the Pacers commented on the team’s defensive strategy, saying, “The biggest thing is just you’re persistent, trying to make it tough on him. It’s a team job. We all have to be locked in and tied together on that end of the floor to get it done.”
With Game 4 on the horizon, the Thunder need to make some course corrections. They’re going to need to help their superstar slide past the all-day, every-day Pacers defense.
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