Thunder coach Mark Daigneault had planned the overtime benching in advance to prevent an on-the-fly decision amid a tense moment. Gilgeous-Alexander confirmed the premeditated approach, noting he would have resisted if asked in the heat of the moment but understood the necessity to avoid reinjury.
In regulation, the star delivered a dominant 36-point performance across 34 minutes, adding nine assists, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks as Oklahoma City overcame an 83-77 deficit entering the fourth quarter. Nikola Jokić answered late in regulation, forcing overtime with 38 seconds remaining.
Watching the closing moments from the sideline proved more difficult for Gilgeous-Alexander than playing, as he voiced a dislike for pressure moments he isn’t involved in, while expressing confidence in his teammates during the extra period. The Thunder nonetheless persevered without him and Isaiah Hartenstein, thanks to a productive overtime from Cason Wallace and Isaiah Joe and four clutch free throws from Chet Holmgren.
Oklahoma City’s depth carried the day in overtime, with Wallace and Joe scoring six points apiece and Holmgren sealing the win from the line. The victory solidified the Thunder’s two-game lead atop the Western Conference standings over the Spurs, underscoring the team’s resilience amid injuries and lineup shuffles.
Gilgeous-Alexander credited the recent adversity for building the trust needed to close tight games and praised the group for adapting on the fly. He remained focused on the bigger goal, reiterating that protecting his health was paramount even as he acknowledged the win’s significance against a top Western Conference foe.
