Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Reacts to New York Knicks Championship
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was frustrated watching the New York Knicks capture the 2026 NBA title after his own team fell short in the postseason, according to a report by Mark Media of RG.com. As Game 5 reached its final moments, Gilgeous-Alexander texted Ilic to express his disbelief at missing out on the championship stage. “I don’t think it really hit him until New York won Game 5. Literally as the buzzer was about to sound, he texted me and said something like, ‘I’m pissed. I can’t believe I’m not here right now,'” Ilic stated to RG.com.
Western Conference Finals Exit Against San Antonio
The Thunder missed the NBA Finals after losing a seven-game series in the Western Conference Finals to Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks subsequently defeated the Spurs in five games to claim the championship.
During the regular season, Oklahoma City swept the Knicks 2-0. That regular-season dominance left Gilgeous-Alexander and his squad to ponder what might have happened had they advanced past San Antonio.
Offseason Outlook and Upcoming Matchup With New York
Despite roster changes that include the departures of Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe, the Thunder remain positioned as top contenders in the Western Conference. Ilic noted that Gilgeous-Alexander is using the postseason disappointment as motivation to improve ahead of the upcoming campaign.
“Shai is not a guy to make excuses,” Ilic said. “It didn’t work out the way he hoped. But that’s part of an NBA season. But you have to be able to deal with those punches, and he didn’t. So he knew that he had to get back to the drawing board and get better again.”
The Thunder are scheduled to host the Knicks on Feb. 7 for the first game of their two-game regular-season series.
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