Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a forgettable night during Sunday’s 103-82 Game 4 Western Conference finals loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The reigning back-to-back MVP struggled to get going offensively as the Spurs adjusted their defensive scheme, exposing the banged-up Oklahoma City Thunder’s lack of reliable secondary playmaking and shot creation.
While Gilgeous-Alexander caught flak for his subpar performance and divisive foul-drawing tactics, he also came under fire for waving the white flag early by sitting out the entire fourth quarter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Faces Pushback for Resting 4th Quarter of Thunder-Spurs Game 4
Playing without star forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) and combo guard Ajay Mitchell (calf), OKC faced a tough task in attempting to take a 3-1 lead over a motivated San Antonio squad seeking revenge in front of its home crowd.
The Spurs took it to the Thunder from the jump, gaining separation behind an early 16-0 run that put them ahead 23-8. Superstar big man Victor Wembanyama was fully locked in, dominating on both ends as he scored 22 of his game-high 33 points in the first half.
Meanwhile, San Antonio did its best to contain OKC’s role players, opting not to double-team Gilgeous-Alexander early in possessions and subsequently gamble on leaving 3-point shooters open.
As a result, the Thunder shot just 30-for-91 from the field (33%) and 6-for-33 from 3-point range (18.2%), with their typically elite bench mustering 34 points after providing a staggering 76 points in Game 3.
Gilgeous-Alexander was held to a series-low 19 points on 6-for-15 shooting (40%), logging just 31 minutes before calling it quits. Despite OKC trailing by only 18 points entering the fourth quarter (78-60), the 27-year-old remained on the bench to close the contest, fueling criticism on X.
“SGA tonight:
19 PTS
6/15 FGM
0/1 3PM
Ducked the fourth quarter 😭,” parody account NBA Tour Dates captioned Gilgeous-Alexander’s Game 4 lowlights.
SGA tonight:
19 PTS
6/15 FGM
0/1 3PMDucked the fourth quarter 😭 pic.twitter.com/Jw6owjSdZX
— NBA Tour Dates (@NBATourDates) May 25, 2026
“Down 20 going into the fourth, Shai don’t play the whole fourth. 3 mins left, OKC still down the exact score 20! 😂 No way [the New York] Knicks came back from more points in SEVEN mins, and OKC decides to sit Shai the whole fourth 😂. I’m so confused!” content creator Famous Los reacted.
Down 20 going into the forth Shai don’t play the whole forth 3 mins left OKC still down the exact score 20 ! 😂 No way Knicks came back from more points in SEVEN mins and OKC decides to sit Shai the whole forth 😂 I’m so confused !
— Famouslos32 (@famouslos32) May 25, 2026
“Jalen Brunson brought his team back from 20+ points with 7 min to go. SGA doesn’t play a single minute of the 4th with his team down 20. Make it make sense,” another user wrote.
Jalen Brunson brought his team back from 20+ points with 7 min to go.
SGA doesn’t play a single minute of the 4th with his team down 20.
Make it make sense
— A.WARD (@Iam_AWard) May 25, 2026
“A real MVP or superstar doesn’t disappear like this in a playoff game. They lead their team from start to finish. SGA is the fakest ever, and it ain’t close,” a Los Angeles Lakers supporter bashed Gilgeous-Alexander.
A real MVP or superstar doesn’t disappear like this in a playoff game. They lead their team from start to finish.
SGA is the fakest ever and it ain’t close. pic.twitter.com/WaopOOcKua
— Ryan Rueda (@PlayoffDude) May 25, 2026
“SGA sitting with 8 minutes left of a West finals game, but if it was a regular-season game, he’d be in to stat pad for 20 pts, lmao,” another user jested.
SGa sitting with 8 minutes left of a west finals game but if it was a regular season game he’d be in to stat pad for 20
Pts lmao— John (@iam_johnw) May 25, 2026
While concerns are mounting about the Thunder’s chances of overcoming their injury woes, Gilgeous-Alexander noted postgame that they are “a little bit used to” playing with “no handlers.”
SGA on playing without Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell: “We played a fair amount of games this year with no handlers, so we’ll be a little bit used to that.” pic.twitter.com/JxkFGCA8kX
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 25, 2026
The four-time All-Star added that “coming out with the right energy” will be key to OKC bouncing back at home with the series tied at 2-2 entering Tuesday’s pivotal Game 5 showdown.
