‘They Caught Us Off Guard’: Shai Admits Pacers’ Surprising Game-Changer Before Game 7 Showdown
Oklahoma City guard and MVP front-runner Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander didn’t hold back after Friday’s 108–91 loss to Indiana in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. With the series now poised at 3–3, Shai pointed to one pivotal change by the Pacers: “They just came at us more aggressively—stubborn in their identity, speeding the game up and controlling the tempo,” he said, crediting Indiana’s shift in pace and mindset .
That alteration was more than just strategic tweaks—it ignited a 30–9 blitz in the second quarter that swung a tight game firmly in the Pacers’ favor. Shai admitted that Oklahoma City didn’t misread any exotic defense—they weren’t surprised by zone traps or weird rotations, just by Indiana’s relentless energy. “They played fast… no matter the stage,” he remarked .
Indy’s full-court pressure and speedy ball movement forced Oklahoma City into 21 turnovers, yielding 19 transition points. At the same time, the Pacers’ stalwart defensive presence disrupted Thunder offensive rhythm—shooting slumped, and even Shai’s flow was interrupted by eight turnovers .
Looking ahead to the decisive Game 7 in Oklahoma City, Shai offered a calm and focused response. He acknowledged the Thunder’s need to sharpen execution: “We’ve got to clean it up, stay together, and we’ll be ready.” His message highlighted resilience, saying the team will “learn from this, film it up, and come out stronger.”
