Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matches Joel Embiid low after ugly Game 6 display

According to ESPN, Gilgeous-Alexander’s minus-28 plus-minus tied Joel Embiid in 2023 for the lowest mark by an NBA MVP in a clinching opportunity in the play-by-play era.

That means the record stretches back to 1997, making it a grim statistical place for the back-to-back MVP to land.

The Thunder did not collapse through Gilgeous-Alexander alone. Isaiah Hartenstein also finished with a minus-25 plus-minus, underlining how badly Oklahoma City’s rotation struggled.

San Antonio took advantage and pushed the series to an exciting Game 7 in Oklahoma City, which is set for Saturday, 30 May.

The Thunder also had another concern around Jalen Williams, who played only 10 minutes in the 118-91 defeat. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Williams left the arena without speaking to the media after a rough return.

That detail matters because Oklahoma City need more than Gilgeous-Alexander’s response. They need their supporting cast to look settled again under pressure.