Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Embarrassing Flops in Game 1 Irks Fans – “Dude is Pathetic”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander produced one of his worst performances in a long time and the Los Angeles Lakers could still not capitalize.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Embarrassing Flops in Game 1 Irks Fans – “Dude is Pathetic”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) (Image credits - Firstsportz)

After a historic 2024-25 campaign, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had another incredible regular season. While he is a favorite to win the MVP award this year, he led his team to the Western Conference Semifinals after clean sweeping the Phoenix Suns in the first round. The Oklahoma City Thunder are the only team to record a clean sweep in the playoffs this year.

In the regular season, SGA made the most free throws and ranked second in average free throw attempts with nine attempts per game. The Canadian international does not rely a lot on the three-point show and scores the bulk of his points by driving into the lane or through midrange jumpers. Hence, he is reliant on free throws as well to get his points.

However, the reigning MVP was not at his best on Tuesday night. He went to the charity stripe for only three free throw attempts in the entire game and uncharacteristically committed seven turnovers as the Los Angeles Lakers played some solid defense on him.

SGA cut a frustrated figure for most of the game as he tried get some calls in his favor but to no avail. In several instances throughout the game, he was seen trying to foul-bait his opponents.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has often been called out for his style of play. While he is undoubtedly one of the best scorers in the game today, his constant ‘flopping’ to get free throws has been criticized more often than not.

The 27-year-old has averaged 30+ points in four consecutive seasons. His scoring numbers and efficiency have seen analysts and pundits put him in the same tier as Michael Jordan.

Even the likes of LeBron James once said that SGA knows how to manipulate the game in a good way and hence is able to draw fouls from his opponents. However, the Lakers were able to do a good job in keeping him away from the free throw line in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

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Fans were left amused with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s constant flopping in Game 1

This is not the first time that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has come into the spotlight for his flopping. While some see it as flopping, some call it foul-baiting. As long as it is within the rules, he isn’t doing anything that is against the game but fans do not see it in the same way.

The compilation clip of his flopping was quick to go viral across social media, and fans made their feelings known as they reacted to it.

Fans were all over SGA on social media and were irked by his constant flopping. He did not have the best of games in Game 1 but he is sure to bounce back strongly very soon.

Oklahoma City Thunder power through despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s off night

The Thunder have been almost flawless so far in the postseason. They are the only team who are yet to lose a game in the playoffs this year. After a dominant 4-0 series win over the Suns, they were back in business on Tuesday night.

The Thunder were a better team from start to finish and led in every quarter of the match. In the end, they secured an impressive 108-90 victory over the Lakers at the Paycom Center and have now taken a 1-0 lead in the series.

Lakers star LeBron James and OKC guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Lakers star LeBron James and OKC guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Image via Sleeper Lakers/X)

But the star of the show was not Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The guard struggled to find his rhythm and ended the night with just 18 points and six assists in 35 minutes.

Chet Holmgren led the scorers for the Thunder with 24 points to go along with 12 rebounds and three blocks in under 31 minutes. Ajay Mitchell scored 18 as well. The bench contributed with 34 points.

The Thunder will be looking to protect home court in Game 2 on Thursday night. It will be interesting to see if SGA will come all guns blazing or the Lakers will clamp him down once again.

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