Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder past Lakers in NBA Cup

November 30, 2024

LOS ANGELES – When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said his life was consistent, he might not have even thought it could go so deep.

On Friday, after his Thunder repelled some forgetful attacks and a pair of free throws, Gilgeous-Alexander assessed his defender by one.

Then Gilgeous-Alexander pulled up from deep, a shot that slowly became a trademark. One that he cares for and shows affection to, especially this week. He rose in the same place, at about the same time and with the same stakes as in Wednesday’s victory.

And he still found the net in Friday’s 101-93 NBA Cup win over the Lakers in Los Angeles.

Most of the game had been a melting pot of grotesque attacks. 3-point shooting that’s hard to brag about, fruitless attacks.

The Thunder recorded 17 more field goals in the paint than the Lakers and made just 48.7% of their 39 paint attempts.

Gilgeous-Alexander has largely benefited from the return of Isaiah Hartenstein, giving teams a worthwhile move. Jalen Williams, who left Wednesday’s game early, was available as a threat. But the Lakers screwed up a lot of it.

As can be the case when OKC’s offense seems hollow, it was Gilgeous-Alexander and the rim. He attacked the Lakers relentlessly, scoring 36 points and nine assists on 13-for-28 shooting.

He shot 6 for 7 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. Before Isaiah Hartenstein’s final two free throws, SGA accounted for 80.8% of the team’s points.

Bodies laid down, stakes raised and still the same Gilgeous-Alexander. In the words of coach Mark Daigneault, somehow still incomplete and yet typically on time.

Sometimes scary.

Mark Daigneault’s burgeoning relationship with free throws

Daigneault set up the site for Friday’s game two hours earlier.

The Thunder coach was puzzled by his team’s lack of free throws. He’s aware of the reputation the Lakers have built as a free-throw fortress.

“I mean, last season they shot 507 more free throws than their opponents, and the season before that they shot 476,” Daigneault said before Friday’s win. “They are at +97 this year. Those are just huge, huge numbers, and the free throw line is the most efficient shot you can make on the court. You get the most efficient shot. They reach the bonus faster and then make their defense stronger. And these numbers are differences. It’s not just tariffs.”

He went into the game open-minded and armed with the necessary information. Daigneault has clearly expressed his respect and love for the officials he spent time with in the G League and who are now in the NBA. A mutual respect.

But Daigneault’s interactions with Eric Dalen or any member of Friday’s crew weren’t exactly romantic.

At halftime, Daigneault was angry. The Lakers had attempted twelve free throws while OKC had only attempted two. Friday seemed to be another data point.

In the fourth quarter, Daigneault felt relaxed. His team made 13 of its 16 free throw attempts on the night. Gilgeous-Alexander was the main culprit.

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