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Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pinpoints major culprit behind OKC’s slide in Mavericks series

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Nick Meyer | Last updated 5/11/24

The Oklahoma City Thunder are now up 2-1 on the defending champion Denver Nuggets with the series shifting to Game Four on Monday at 9:30 p.m. ET. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s former MVP candidate, had a short and sweet comment on what has been helping the Mavericks to re-claim their foothold in the series.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s comments came during comments from the Thunder’s head coach on what’s keeping him up at night these days. Former NBA superstar Kevin Garnett revealed the main reason he thought Gilgeous-Alexander should have won MVP over Nikola Jokic.

The comments by Gilgeous-Alexander are indicative of how Game Three went in OKC, and they have fans standing at attention.

Gilgeous-Alexander Speaks on Mavs X-Factor

Forward PJ Washington put a stop to the Thunder’s chokehold on the series with a 27-point performance in Game 3. The Mavericks won by a final score of 105-101 after most commentators had left them for dead.

Now, the Thunder’s Gilgeous-Alexander is giving Washington his roses. The quote was shared by Tim MacMahon on Twitter.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on PJ Washington: “He’s hooping. We’ve got to turn that water off if we want to win the series, for sure.”

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 11, 2024

Washington also had six rebounds in Game Three, but it was his point total that shocked the Thunder especially considering that Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic had 22 points each.

Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 points.

Game Four Set For May 13

The Thunder and Mavericks will tip it off a day after Mother’s Day on Monday, May 13 with plenty on the line. If the Thunder can hold serve and knock off the Mavs at home, a 3-1 lead will result along with a chance to put the Mavericks out of their misery the following game.

If Dallas and Washington can win it, the Mavs could find themselves in the position of series favorite by the time Tuesday rolls around, or perhaps sooner than that. ‘

Shai Gilgaeous-Alexander and Mavericks' x-factor. May 11, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) passes around Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) during the second half during game three of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Thunder must do their best to keep Washington and the other supporting cast players down, as Game Three showed. Dallas is a dangerous team with their backs against the wall, and Doncic and Irving don’t figure to have an off-night especially with Gilgeous-Alexander and others to keep pace with in Oklahoma City.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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