Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Says Fatigue Not an Excuse After Game 3 Loss

Oklahoma City Thunder’s star player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, made it clear on Thursday that there’s no room for excuses or fatigue with the NBA Finals on the line. Speaking after the team’s disappointing Game 3 loss to the Indiana Pacers, the 2024-25 NBA Most Valuable Player emphasized that it’s time to stay locked in, not worn out. The Thunder are now trailing 2-1 in the series after Indiana pulled off a strong fourth-quarter comeback at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to secure a critical win. Gilgeous-Alexander, the heart of Oklahoma City’s offense, addressed the pressure and physical toll of the Finals, but remained focused. “You just have to push through it,” he said. “There are only up to four games left in the season. This is what we’ve been working for all year and all summer. So, in my view, you just need to fight through it, focus, and try to win.”

Despite playing a major role in the first two games—scoring a total of 72 points, including 34 in Game 2—Shai’s performance dipped in the second half of Game 3. He finished with 24 points overall, but only managed three in the crucial fourth quarter and committed six turnovers—his most ever in a playoff game. The Thunder were outscored 32-18 in the final period, which ultimately cost them the game and the lead in the series. Still, Shai refused to blame fatigue. “I don’t think so,” he responded when asked if tiredness had played a part in the fourth-quarter slump. “It was a physical game, but we’ve played tough games before. Sometimes I play well at the end, and sometimes I don’t.”

Much of the credit for slowing down Shai went to Indiana guard Andrew Nembhard, who has emerged as a key defensive piece in this series. Nembhard acknowledged the challenge of guarding the MVP but explained that stopping a player like Gilgeous-Alexander requires team-wide commitment. “We’re just trying to make it hard for him,” he said. “The key is staying persistent. It’s a team effort. Everyone has to be focused and working together on defense to stop him.” Nembhard’s tireless defense, along with the Pacers’ collective intensity in the fourth quarter, made a noticeable difference when it mattered most.

Despite the setback, Gilgeous-Alexander showed no signs of panic or frustration. Instead, he reiterated his belief in sticking to his natural playing style. “The way I play and think about the game comes naturally now. It’s just who I am,” he explained. “My leadership hasn’t changed — it’s been consistent all season and true to myself.” This calm and self-assured attitude has been a defining trait for Shai throughout his MVP season, and it continues to anchor Oklahoma City in the high-pressure moments of the Finals.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault also stood firmly behind his star player. He expressed complete confidence in Shai’s mental strength and ability to recover quickly from a rough outing. “One of his biggest strengths is moving forward — to the next play, the next game, whatever comes next,” Daigneault said. “He’s the last person I’m worried about.” The Thunder will now look to regroup ahead of Game 4, knowing that bouncing back is essential to keeping their championship hopes alive.

With just a few games left in the season and the stakes at their highest, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s words reflect the mindset needed to fight until the final buzzer. He’s not making excuses, not backing down, and not letting one tough quarter define his Finals journey. For Oklahoma City, that mentality could make all the difference as the series continues.