Like everyone else on the floor, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled to start this NBA Cup semi-final against the Rockets. The “switches” of Dillon Brooks and his teammates limited him to 3/12 on shots in the first half, and he missed 8 of his first 9 shots. And then, the Thunder star did a complete “reset” in the locker room and in the second period, he combined patience and aggression to sting the Houston defense, and score 20 of his 32 points.
The All-Star point guard took control of the game and Houston's defense could do nothing to slow him down after the break, whether in his aggression or the search for his teammates.
“Like all players, he can have more difficulty at times, and that’s what happened in the first half,” conceded Mark Daigneault, after the Thunder victory. “But what has always impressed me about him is his confidence. He has absolutely boundless confidence and no matter what happens in the match, he manages to stay in the game and most of the time it ends up turning and that's what happened after the break. »
Same story with Isaiah Hartenstein, very valuable under the two circles with 21 points and 8 rebounds. “We all know that Shai is like that… He will find a moment to find his rhythm, and that's what he did in the second half. »
The Dillon Brooks Challenge
SGA came out of the game to a standing ovation after hearing “MVP, MVP” several times when he was on free throws and the Thunder star appreciated it.
“It was really fun this evening, the atmosphere in the room was great,” he assures. “We don’t play here every year but we feel that Vegas is a city with a basketball culture. It's great to be able to experience this moment here. »
What he also enjoyed was getting the upper hand on Dillon Brooks, his teammate in the selection. “It’s pleasant, and it makes you better” he continues. “That's what the NBA is, it's about challenging the best players in the world, and that's clearly what he is on defense. And I think I am on offense. It gives me the opportunity to see where I really stand, and it was a good test. I’ll say I handled it pretty well.”
And he will relive some interesting duels, since the Thunder will challenge the Bucks on Tuesday evening, and his oppositions with the Damian Lillard – Giannis Antetokounmpo tandem promise!
From our special correspondent in Las Vegas
