“Anthony Edwards ain’t it” – NBA fans hail MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as OKC goes up 2-0 with comprehensive win

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder held it down on their house flooring, cruising to a 118-103 win in Sport 2 on Thursday night time to take a commanding 2-0 lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves within the Western Convention finals.

In his first recreation since being named MVP, Gilgeous-Alexander confirmed precisely why, main all gamers with 38 factors and eight assists. For Minnesota, Anthony Edwards bounced again from a quiet Sport 1 with 32 factors, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, however it nonetheless wasn’t sufficient.

Followers had lots to say after Thursday’s recreation, with reactions cut up between criticizing the Timberwolves and showering Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder with reward.

“Anthony Edwards ain’t it,” one mentioned.

“The MVP is successful a finals MVP too,” one other commented.

“The ‘future face of the league’ is now on the verge of being swept by (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) after dropping in 5 video games only a season in the past to Luka. Exhibits you ways overrated a participant will be because of the ‘killer mentality’ narrative,” one other added.

Listed here are different reactions to SGA and OKC’s massive Sport 2 win.

“Folks actually thought the Wolves stood an opportunity lol,” one other mentioned.

“Can we please cease the Anthony Edwards is MJ dialog…one other 1/9 from 3 outing. The media must cease saying who the face of the league is. I’d slightly gamers emulate SGA than AE, on and off the court docket,” one mentioned.

“I don’t wish to hear conversations about Anthony Edwards being the face of the NBA whereas SGA continues to be right here. Respectfully, Shai is clearly at a unique stage than Ant is presently,” one other commented.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will get robust help from Thunder co-stars in Sport 2 win

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP-level night time — effectively hitting 12-of-21 pictures — was the headline, however he wasn’t alone in lifting OKC to the win. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren delivered in massive methods.

Williams, not too long ago named to the All-NBA Second Defensive Group, put up 26 factors, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, taking pictures 12-of-20 and discovering his rhythm from the midrange all night time.

Holmgren chipped in 22 factors on 17 pictures and was a defensive anchor early alongside Isaiah Hartenstein earlier than the Thunder shifted to small-ball lineups.

For Minnesota, Julius Randle had a tough outing. After impressing in Sport 1, he managed simply six factors on 11 pictures within the loss. Jaden McDaniels added 22, whereas Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Naz Reid mixed for 27 off the bench.

OKC as soon as once more dominated inside, outscoring the Wolves within the paint 58-44 and holding a 16-9 edge in fastbreak factors.

Sport 3 heads to Minnesota, tipping off Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET at Goal Middle.

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alt=”John Ezekiel Hirro” top=”72″ width=”72″>

John Ezekiel Hirro is an skilled NBA and WNBA journalist at Sportskeeda, with over 5 years within the subject as a information correspondent, sports activities author, and Editor-in-Chief. His sports activities writing profession started in highschool, the place he garnered quite a few accolades, together with being named the nationwide sports activities writing champion in 2016.

He earned his journalism diploma from the College of Santo Tomas within the Philippines in 2024 and served because the Editor-in-Chief of The Varsitarian, the college’s official scholar publication, for 4 years—the longest in historical past.

A passionate basketball fanatic, he grew to become a fan of the OKC Thunder in the course of the Russ-KD-Harden period. Russell Westbrook, his all-time favourite athlete, impressed him by stepping up as MVP after Kevin Durant’s departure. His present favourite gamers embody Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, who he believes are the way forward for the OKC franchise.

He excels in recreation evaluation and speedy information story turnaround, drawing inspiration from the journalistic kinds of Woj and Shams. He emphasizes thorough analysis to make sure accuracy in his articles. One in every of his most memorable moments is Russell Westbrook breaking Oscar Robertson’s report together with his forty second triple-double and securing a 106-105 victory over the Denver Nuggets with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Outdoors of writing, he enjoys listening to music and creating Spotify playlists.

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Edited by John Ezekiel Hirro