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0 The stakes of Game 4 weighed on Oklahoma City superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all day Monday as he waited for the 8:30 tipoff with the Thunder trailing the Dallas Mavericks in their Western Conference semifinal series 2-1.
The 25-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander called it “probably the most meaningful game I’ve played in my career,” but he said he didn’t feel pressure when he checked back into the game after a brief rest with 9:30 remaining and the Mavs leading by six points. Gilgeous-Alexander was poised, prepared to seize the moment, but also conscious of not forcing the issue, as he said he had late in the Thunder’s Game 3 loss here.
“Be aggressive, but be smart,” Gilgeous-Alexander told himself.
The MVP finalist found that balance down the stretch to lead Oklahoma City to a series-tying 100-96 win at the American Airlines Center, scoring or assisting on 20 of the Thunder’s final 30 points.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 34 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals. He scored 10 points and dished out 4 assists in the fourth quarter, taking over the game with a series of midrange jumpers off isolations then feeding his teammates for the game’s biggest shots when Dallas’ defense collapsed on him.
Jalen Williams-Kyrie Irving Photo Courtesy: AP
Kyrie Irving in action against OKC Photo Courtesy: AP
“There’s some points in the game I’m doing the same thing you guys are doing — just kind of being a fan of what he’s doing and, when some of those shots go in, just kind of making a face like, ‘That’s crazy,’” said Thunder center Chet Holmgren, who tallied 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks. “But he’s been doing it all year. I’ve seen him do it since I got here, and that’s just who he is. Tough-shot maker, but he does a lot more out there for us than just that.”
Luka Doncic Photo Courtesy: AP
“He was unbelievable,” Mavs superstar Luka Doncic said. “He kept making shots, and maybe at some point we got to send double-teams. He’s just too good.”
Chet Holmgren sinks a free throw Photo Courtesy: AP
Doncic, who is dealing with a sprained right knee and a sore left ankle, finished with more turnovers (seven) than field goals (6-of-20 shooting). Irving registered nine points for the second time in the series after being held to a single-digit scoring total only once previously in a playoff game.
