Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was up to his usual divisive foul-drawing tactics early in Sunday’s Game 4 Western Conference finals clash against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Oklahoma City Thunder superstar drew numerous controversial first-half fouls, once again sparking outrage across the NBA world.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Early Game 4 Foul-Baiting Triggers Uproar
Gilgeous-Alexander’s tendency to exaggerate contact in an effort to get to the free-throw line has been a major storyline throughout the playoffs, with many labeling the reigning back-to-back MVP’s playstyle “unethical.”
Those gripes persisted in Game 4, as less than three minutes into the contest, Gilgeous-Alexander brought the ball past midcourt, began to drive toward the baseline, and immediately hit the floor after minor contact from Spurs forward Julian Champagnie.
Game literally JUST STARTED and Shai already flopping 😭 pic.twitter.com/boimwFPsXE
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) May 25, 2026
Later in the first quarter, the 27-year-old fell after a fadeaway midrange jumper over De’Aaron Fox despite the San Antonio star keeping his arms at his sides to avoid contact.
Shai falls down with no one touching him.
2 free throws. pic.twitter.com/0rip5Trhdw
— House of Lowlights (@HouseLowlights) May 25, 2026
Gilgeous-Alexander also questionably tumbled to the hardwood on multiple other possessions, including during a drive against Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama, further aggravating the NBA community on X.
SGA barrels into Wemby and steps on his foot. Foul on wemby #AdamSilverBasketball pic.twitter.com/PhYdKOk5Gr
— hymn duncan (@hymnduncan) May 25, 2026
“SGA just fell down on the shot completely UNTOUCHED. This is the most SHAMELESS basketball player I’ve ever seen, and the refs keep letting him get away with it,” Hater Report vented.
SGA just fell down on the shot completely UNTOUCHED
This is the most SHAMELESS basketball player I’ve ever seen and the refs keep letting him get away with it pic.twitter.com/SYRMd1NQPQ
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) May 25, 2026
“EMBARRASSING!! 🤯 Wait for the replay!! There was no reason for Shai to flop on the ground right there. Even the broadcast admitted there was no foul. This is not basketball!!” another user fumed.
EMBARRASSING!! 🤯
Wait for the replay!! There was no reason for Shai to flop on the ground right there. Even the broadcast admitted there was no foul.
This is not basketball!! 🔥😠 pic.twitter.com/r1zRZpQhpR
— HeroOfTheDay (@Hero_OfThe_Day) May 25, 2026
“SGFTA is at it again,” Memphis Grizzlies content creator Lang Whitaker sounded off.
SGFTA is at it again
— Lang Whitaker (@langwhitaker) May 25, 2026
“SGA is unethical. League needs to fix this yesterday,” former NBA big man Spencer Hawes implored the NBA.
Sga is unethical. League needs to fix this yesterday.
— Spence Needle (@spencerhawes00) May 25, 2026
“I like Shai, but this is getting ridiculous, dawg,” another wrote.
I like Shai but this is getting ridiculous dawg https://t.co/8c9ZEygpGB
— A🏀A (@whateverbs99) May 25, 2026
“Yeah, Shai is officially the most unwatchable MVP in NBA history, bro lmfaoo,” a Los Angeles Lakers parody account declared.
Yea Shai is officially the most unwatchable MVP in NBA history bro lmfaoo pic.twitter.com/Nwo44x4Qj8
— LeBron__legacy 👑 🐐 (@LeBron__legacy) May 25, 2026
OKC struggled to create offense in the first half, mustering just 38 points in the absence of star forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) and combo guard Ajay Mitchell (calf). Gilgeous-Alexander entered halftime with 10 points on 4-for-10 shooting (40%) as the Thunder trailed 50-38.
Conversely, Wembanyama had a dominant first half, recording 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks, capping off the second quarter with an electric half-court shot over Gilgeous-Alexander.
WEMBY FROM HALFCOURT
22 POINTS IN THE FIRST HALFpic.twitter.com/4pwfFdu1lj
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 25, 2026
San Antonio never let up after that, leading by as many as 25 points en route to a decisive 103-82 home victory to tie the series 2-2, with Wembanyama nearly doubling Gilgeous-Alexander’s point total (19) with his game-high 33-point performance.
