The Oklahoma City Thunder were in shock following their Game 7 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn't hold back after the game.
The San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of their Western Conference Finals matchup on Saturday, winning 111-103. The Spurs will move on to take on the New York Knicks in the Finals, and the Thunder are left scratching their heads.
All season long, the Thunder were billed as heavy title favorites, and for the most part, looked the part. However, the Spurs managed to go 4-1 against them in the regular season and NBA Cup, before improving that record to 8-4 on the season against them in the playoffs.
The Thunder are easily one of the best teams in the NBA, but it's clear that the Spurs have their number. After Game 7, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander detailed that the Spurs are simply the "better team."
SGA Praises Spurs, Outlines Future Matchups
For the second year in a row, SGA won the NBA MVP award. Unlike last year, when it was presented to him in front of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the playoffs, his competition took it personally.
Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs had long made it clear that they thought Wemby was the MVP. He ended up coming in third, behind both Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, although if voters could have a re-tally and factor in the postseason, The Alien would run away with it.
Not only has Wemby emerged as the better player, but the Spurs have also emerged as the better team.
"They were just a better team tonight, start to finish," SGA explained. "And then every time we tried to cut into it and take control of the game, it felt like they had an answer. And a lot of times, it felt like it was tough shot-making. So hats off to them. And yeah, they played better tonight, and they deserve to win again."
The Thunder, of course, aren't going anywhere. A healthy core of SGA, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren is one of the best in the NBA, and OKC has plenty of youth to build around. Fans should be treated to an all-time rivalry in the coming seasons.
"They're young, they're talented, well-coached, play the right way, play together," added the MVP. "Seems like they like each other. They have the makeup, for sure. You don't beat us without the makeup, and they beat us. So they have the makeup to go get one."
While the Thunder are going to spend June licking their wounds, they know that they will get another chance next season.
"They're a good team, a beatable team," said guard Cason Wallace. "Obviously, we beat them, but we just got to do things better for a longer period of time."
