Chet Holmgren said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the MVP. He played like one Wednesday night in a monster Game 2 win.
"That's a baaaadd man right there"
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2024
SGA steps back for 24 in the game
NOP-OKC on TNT pic.twitter.com/x0JIC96glO
Jamal Crawford called SGA a "baaaadd man" after his step back jumper gave the Thunder a 20-point lead in the third quarter. The Thunder's All-Star scored 33 points on 13-for-19 shooting, as the Pelicans had no answer for him.
He made big shots from deep.
SGA steps back, drains the 3, and shows love to the home crowd!
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2024
A game-high 31 points on TNT pic.twitter.com/PNxAJtYq9q
And he made big jumpers down near the block.
SGA with the tough fadeaway for 33... a new postseason career high
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2024
NOP-OKC on TNT pic.twitter.com/lFUyzfMBXn
New Orleans wasn't even playing bad defense on many of his shots. Gilgeous-Alexander showed that he can get to his spot at will, and make tough baskets when he gets there, just like he did with the go-ahead shot in Game 1.
When there’s a Shai, there’s a way pic.twitter.com/Ej17LHSOeC
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 22, 2024
After the game, Holmgren did his postgame interview with nearly all of his teammates, and declared that SGA was "too humble to say it, but this is the MVP right here."
"He's too humble to say it, but this is the MVP right here" pic.twitter.com/Vh8v7eZXal
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2024
Holmgren was humble about his own performance, after the rookie scored 26 points on just 13 shots. He showed off a three-point stroke and some strength inside, like when he flattened Brandon Ingram and went in for a dunk.
Brandon Ingram took a hit to the midsection from Chet Holmgren; Ingram's still in the game, thoughpic.twitter.com/6EgPSQgSlc
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) April 25, 2024
Though he only had two blocks, Holmgren seemed to challenge nearly every Pelicans shot near the basket, altering countless New Orleans attempts.
Chet contests the shot... J-Dub finishes on the other end
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2024
Thunder rolling in the 4th on TNT! pic.twitter.com/U1SWTB77R4
It's still very early in both their careers, but the Thunder already have an excellent duo of guard and center. Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren are great now. Game 2 showed they have the chance to be legendary.
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