Attacking the paint all game, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn't let a lack of a whistle discourage him. The drive-heavy scorer went head-first into several defenders and earned his baskets the blue-collar way. If NBA referees are going to be hypnotized by Twitter and TikTok, all the MVP candidate can do is apply pressure to give him calls.
After racking up plenty of trips to the free-throw line, Gilgeous-Alexander's attempts have torpedoed below the surface during the Thunder's two-game losing streak. He's shot two total free throws in their blowout losses to the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers.
That's despite playing the same brand of basketball. He's taken 45 shot attempts in both games. Most were within the restricted area. Seemingly out of nowhere, the officials have refused to give him the calls he's received all season.
That's the only logical explanation. Only two variables exist with Gilgeous-Alexander's knack to get to the free-throw line. Either he changed up his shot diet and only takes jumpers or the referees have stopped giving him the calls he's gathered all season.
Despite that, Gilgeous-Alexander continues to be diplomatic about the referees. While every other NBA superstar has had no problems throwing them under the bus, the MVP candidate goes against the grain by humanizing and not shouldering all the blame toward them.
"I don't know. I didn't get fouled. I don't know. I don't think that necessarily needs to change," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "I don't know how many I had tonight but I felt good offensively. I don't think we lost because I didn't shoot free throws though. I'm all about trying to win. I don't think that necessarily needs to change. We need to play defense if we're trying to win."
This shouldn't be a surprising response. Gilgeous-Alexander has always taken the nice route when asked about officiating. We'll see if that unorthodox method produces better results at getting to the free-throw line. That's the difference between a solid 30 points and a monster 40 points.
SGA on his 2 FTs the last 2 games: “I don’t know. I didn’t get fouled. I don’t know. I don’t think that necessarily needs to change.” pic.twitter.com/GtrJ37xVzf
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 6, 2025
All of SGA’s drives from the last 2 games against the Rockets & Lakers. None resulted in a foul. Only attempted 2 FTs compared to 45 shot attempts
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007)
Just an unreal swallowing of the whistle. There’s just no way the NBA’s drive leader should only have 2 FTs
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