There was a moment late in Game 3 of the NBA Finals where it felt like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, this years MVP, might finally hit a wall.
But if you ask him about it, theres no time for walls, no time for excuses.
You got to suck it up, Shai told reporters Thursday via House of Highlights. Theres a maximum four games left in the season. Its what you worked the whole season for. Its what you worked all summer for get it done and try to get a win.
Thats about as blunt as it gets. And it comes after a night where Indiana made life miserable for OKCs superstar. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with just 24 points and four assists, a noticeable dip from the 34-point, eight-assist performance he dropped in Game 2. But more than that, he turned the ball over six times, his most ever in a playoff game, and managed just three points in the fourth quarter.
I dont think it was anything out the blue, Shai said postgame. Weve had plenty of physical games. Games like that where Ive been great late, games where Ive stunk late.
Indiana have made defending Shai a team mission. Shaiwas picked up 65.5 feet from the basket on average, the deepest of his career, according to GeniusIQ tracking.
The Pacers blitzed him 12 times (a personal playoff high), and he was the primary defender on 22 field goal attempts also the most of his playoff career.
Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, whos been glued to Shai all series, said its all about persistence.
We all have to be locked in and tied together on that end of the floor.
Shai didnt have his usual takeover in the clutch. But hes not pointing fingers. No complaining. No built-in outs.
Just one message: suck it up and go win.
