Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Facing Scrutiny For 'Dirty' Play

May 7, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives down the court against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) in the second half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Facing Scrutiny For 'Dirty' Play

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated May 8, 2026 9:57 AM ET

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Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is receiving plenty of criticism from Los Angeles Lakers fans this week, that's for sure.

During the second half of Game 2, Gilgeous-Alexander yanked Austin Reaves' arm as he was trying to get himself free at the top of the key. After the referees reviewed this play, they hit the reigning MVP of the league with a flagrant foul.

It felt like that flagrant foul could've been the turning point for the Lakers in Game 2, but the Thunder simply overpowered them in the fourth quarter.

Even though Reaves avoided a serious injury, NBA fans believe Gilgeous-Alexander should've received a harsher punishment for this foul.

"Teams need to treat that dude like it is a 90's game again," one fan said. "Foul him at every opportunity."

"Should’ve been a flagrant 2. But no way the refs get rid of their babyboy," a second fan commented.

"This team is becoming more and more reckless, with worse and worse flopping and unsportsmanlike behavior," another fan wrote.

"Embarrassing game to watch.. not basketball on so many occasions and I like physical ball. This was flop city and dirty ish," a social media user added.

This was a flagrant 2 and I am a SGA supporter. Flat out dirty maneuver. He could have dislocated Reeves elbow. I know. I got my shoulder dislocated on this same kind of play. https://t.co/1Dx0MqfGo5
— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) May 8, 2026

SGA shares his side to the story.

After the Thunder won Game 2 against the Lakers, Gilgeous-Alexander was asked about his flagrant foul. He made it clear that he wasn't trying to injure Reaves.

"I’m not going to be able to change the call, so I didn’t even really care. But I felt like he was hugging around me and I just tried to get loose," Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters. "Our arms got caught, it’s unfortunate. I didn’t mean to hurt him obviously, but that’s the way it goes. I got a flagrant. It is what it is. You move on. I didn’t want to use it as a distraction."

The Lakers obviously feel like Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder have received a favorable whistle this postseason.

With that being said, the NBA's officiating crew for Game 3 will most likely face a ton of heat from Los Angeles fans.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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