What if the best player in the Western Conference was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? Very good since the start of the season, the back of the Thunder dazzled everyone last night with a career record and especially the winning basket at the last second for a victory (121-120) on the floor of the Wizards. In search of a fifth victory in a row, Washington found Bradley Beal, and everything had started well for the players of the capital since they had taken a 17-point lead in the first quarter, and they were still leading by 13 points at halftime (67-54).
But “SGA” then pulled out all the stops. He scored 30 points in the second half, and his last quarter was exceptional with a 9 out of 10 on shots! Under his leadership, OKC picked up the score, equalized, and even went ahead. We then witness a formidable crossover, and Bradley Beal thinks he has done the hardest part six seconds from the end.
He has Lu Dort on his back, Kristaps Porzingis multiplies the screens to free him, but Beal goes to the baseline. A step-back to repel Dort, then a fadeaway: Washington takes control (120-118).
There are six seconds left, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will air-condition the room. The throw-in is for Josh Giddey, and SGA is content to eliminate Monte Morris on a work of support. The shot is complicated, but it sucks: 121-120! Behind, Washington takes a time-out, but Deni Avdija loses the ball. Thunder feat, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the hero of the evening.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Free throws. Single-handedly, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shot as many free throws (17) as all of the Wizards combined. The most penalizing is that Kristaps Porzingis misses two in the “money time”. SGA did not do better since it missed five. In the first thirteen matches, he only missed six…
– The comeback of Bradley Beal. Released from the Covid protocol, Bradley Beal took half time to enter his match. A discreet first half, then he ramped up with this magnificent basket six seconds from the end.
– Kristaps Porzingis forgotten… Author of 20 points in the first half to 7 out of 10 on shots, the Latvian only shot five times in the second half. The Thunder defense is not really responsible, and it is simply the Wizards who have forgotten to rely on their strong point. In the last quarter, Kristaps Porzingis takes only two shots, which he misses.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The numbers speak for him: 42 points (personal best), 7 assists and 6 rebounds. 67% on shots. And as a bonus, he registers the winning basket. Perhaps his best career match in his style that we know him so well: all in control and change of pace.
✅⛔️ Kyle Kuzma. The most consistent of the Wizards’ Big Three, and he even comes close to a triple-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. But his seven stray bullets are expensive!
⛔️ Wes Unseld Jr. The Wizards coach failed to find the systems or convince his players to insist on Kristaps Porzingis in the second half. Another criticism: the choice of Monte Morris to defend on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the last action. Smaller, Monte Morris was eliminated on a simple markdown and a work of support, even if it must be admitted that all the defenders suffered against SGA.
THE FOLLOWING
Washington (8v-7d) : reception of the Heat on Friday.
OKC (7v-8d) : trip to Memphis on Friday.
