The Minnesota Timberwolves fans who made it out to the Target Center on Monday played their part, creating a hostile atmosphere for the visiting OKC Thunder players and particularly Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“Free throw merchant” was the chant raining down on Gilgeous-Alexander during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. There were plenty of jabs, jeers and boos directed at the 26-year-old from the exuberant crowd during Game 4 as well. While some players may have wilted under the pressure, Gilgeous-Alexander seemed to thrive under challenging circumstances.
On a night when the Thunder needed their MVP guard to step up, Gilgeous-Alexander was outstanding. The Canadian star finished with 40 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds to push his team to a hard-fought 128-126 victory. The win means the Thunder now head back to Oklahoma for Wednesday’s Game 5 with a commanding 3-1 lead.
Thunder Star Shai Gilgeous–Alexander Accepts ‘Villain’ Title, Claims It’s ‘Fun’
19,250 fans packed into the Target Center, hoping to drive the Timberwolves to the NBA finals for the first time in franchise history. Standing in their way is a Thunder roster that is led by 2025 MVP Gilgeous-Alexander and littered with All-Star caliber talent.
Minnesota stuck with the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed throughout the night, keeping the game close. In the end, however, a dazzling display from Gilgeous-Alexander was too much to overcome.
Following Monday’s win, Gilgeous-Alexander was asked about the treatment he received from the fans and playing the role of the ‘villain’ on the road.
“It’s super fun … The whole building’s against you. Chanting whatever they’re chanting. Screaming whatever they are screaming,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “It’s your job to go out there, play basketball, and kinda shut them up … I enjoy it for sure.”
“It’s super fun. … The whole building’s against you. … It’s your job to go out there, play basketball and kinda shut them up. … I enjoy it for sure.”
—SGA on being the villain on the road 👀 pic.twitter.com/3WieZVOLFG
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 27, 2025
This was not the first time the three-time All-Star has broken Minnesota hearts. The gifted scorer has led his team in scoring in all four of the WCF games, averaging an incredible 30.75 points per game over the series.
Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off an exceptional year, during which he led the entire NBA with 32.7 points per game. He also ranked first in the Thunder roster in assists (6.4) and second in the lineup in steals (1.7).
SGA DROPS A NEAR 40-POINT TRIPLE DOUBLE 🤯
⚡️ 40 PTS
⚡️ 10 AST
⚡️ 9 REBThe @okcthunder take a 3-1 Western Conference Finals lead! pic.twitter.com/Lu44iHcoLs
— NBA (@NBA) May 27, 2025
His incredible regular season form carried over to the postseason and Gilgeous-Alexander is proving that he can perform in high pressure situations. The Thunder point guard has already racked up 442 total points, with only the New York Knicks Jalen Brunson ahead of him in the category.
He also ranks fourth in in assists (103) and sixth in steals (23) over the 2025 playoffs.
The Thunder are just one win away from returning to the NBA finals for the first time since 2012. If Gilgeous-Alexander continues to perform the way he has over the last few months, it is hard to imagine anyone slowing down this red-hot Thunder team.
