Oklahoma City Thunder superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again faced accusations of foul-baiting during Monday’s 128-126 Game 4 Western Conference finals road win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. One questionable drawn foul on Timberwolves superstar shooting guard Anthony Edwards left NBA fans particularly fed up.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s foul-drawing techniques have been a point of contention throughout the postseason, with some asserting that he has an unethical offensive game. The 2025 MVP only attempted six free throws in the first half of Game 4 en route to his 21-point halftime scoring total. Nevertheless, many took exception to his first-half performance.
On one play, Gilgeous-Alexander pushed the ball up the floor against Edwards’ pressure defense. The 2020 No. 1 pick moved his feet and attempted to use his hands to keep him at bay. Instead, Gilgeous-Alexander collapsed to the floor after minimal contact from Edwards’ hand-check, irking fans across social media.
NBA Fans Blast Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Following Polarizing Drawn Foul Against Anthony Edwards in Game 4
Fans on X didn’t take too kindly to Gilgeous-Alexander seemingly exaggerating the contact on his drive against Edwards. Many accused him of attempting to manipulate the officials to get to the free-throw line.
“Bro he is so shameless too,” one fan said.
Bro he is so shameless too
— 👑 (@Lebronin1) May 27, 2025
“He’s like a feather in the wind!” another wrote.
He’s like a feather in the wind!
— VFAM (@vfam_meta) May 27, 2025
“Biggest foul baiter in the league,” one asserted.
Biggest foul baiter in the league
— Curry Flurry 😈 (@babyfacedubs) May 27, 2025
“LeBron [James] would never,” another quipped.
LeBron would never
— DC (@DrozX18) May 27, 2025
Meanwhile, some fans even questioned Gilgeous-Alexander’s status as an MVP-caliber player.
“SGA a 25ppg player at best without flopping, not without free throws but without the flopping,” one user remarked.
SGA a 25ppg player at best without flopping, not without free throws but without the flopping
— JrdHrvy (@jhrvy97) May 27, 2025
“Some people voted on shai to be the MVP,” another commented.
some people voted on shai to be the mvp 💔
— desire (@dgsire) May 27, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander on His Offensive Mindset in Game 4
Gilgeous-Alexander finished Monday’s victory with a playoff career-high 40 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists, and two 3-pointers, shooting 13-for-30 (43.3%). His co-stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren chipped in a combined 55 points as OKC prevailed by strategically fouling down the stretch to fend off Minnesota’s late-game push.
While officiating was a matter of concern early, most of Gilgeous-Alexander’s second-half trips to the line came on the Timberwolves’ intentional fouls to extend the game. The three-time All-Star went 5-for-6 at the charity stripe (83.3%) in the final 15 seconds and secured a late rebound to help ice the contest.
Following the highest-scoring output of his postseason career, Gilgeous-Alexander touched on his offensive approach to the pivotal outing.
“I tried not to worry too much about scoring or making plays or whatever it was,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I tried to just lose myself in the competition, be aggressive, pick my spots.”
Leading the series 3-1, OKC will attempt to book its first trip to the NBA Finals since 2012 during Wednesday’s Game 5 home showdown. A finals berth would mark the first of Gilgeous-Alexander’s seven-year career.
