Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s motivational message after Game 2 loss vs. Mavericks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder’s confidence is not wavering even after they suffered a Game 2 loss to the Mavericks.
The Oklahoma City Thunder weren’t at their best on Thursday night as they suffered their first loss of the 2024 NBA playoffs in Game 2 of their second-round matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, 119-110. Apart from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 33 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, and Jalen Williams, who put up 20 points of his own in the losing effort, the Thunder did not put up a good enough performance to warrant a victory.
Now, it’ll be interesting to monitor how the Thunder respond from their first-ever playoff defeat as a unit. Only three players on the Thunder roster have played in the postseason before, and one of them is not even getting any serious minutes at this stage (Gordon Hayward). But Gilgeous-Alexander and company have proven time and time again that this Thunder team has the collective mental makeup of a 15-year veteran, and this time will be no different as they head on the road with the goal of regaining control of the series against the Mavericks.
“No matter what’s thrown at us, we compete. We give it our all. We do it together and we see where it gets us. That’s what we’ve done all year and that’s what we’re gonna continue to do,” Gilgeous-Alexander said in his Game 2 postgame presser, via NBA TV on Twitter (X).