Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says he hopes to mirror Kobe Bryant’s competitive fire after crushing Game 1 loss to Indiana Pacers | NBA News
The thunder rumbled early — but it didn’t stay loud for long. Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander dazzled with a stunning 38 points in his NBA Finals debut, yet he was left powerless as Tyrese Haliburton’s buzzer-beater left the Oklahoma City Thunder stunned, 111–110. In the aftermath, the newly minted MVP tapped into his inner Kobe Bryant, stating he wants to “emulate that competitive fire” even in defeat. With that Mamba mindset fired up, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is focused on transforming the disappointment of Game 1 into the drive for a comeback.
Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander leans on Kobe Bryant’s legacy to ignite OKC’s Finals fightback
The Thunder arrived at the Finals flaunting the top record in the NBA—68–14 in the regular season and a powerful playoff journey. Game 1 seemed to go as expected: a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lighting up the scoreboard, the Thunder owning the boards, and forcing 19 turnovers. However, Indiana surged in the closing moments—Haliburton nailed the game-winner with just 0.3 seconds to go, ruining what was otherwise a nearly perfect performance.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said this about Kobe Bryant, “That’s probably my favorite player of all time. I never got the chance to meet him… but not only me, for kids all across the world, his influence has gone through the roof and his legacy will be remembered forever because of the competitor and the basketball player that he was. Hopefully I’m somewhere close to that as a basketball player one day. But he was a special talent, special person, and God rest his soul.”Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 38 points were more than just important—they’re historic in the NBA. This marks the third-highest scoring performance by a guard in their first Finals, following only Allen Iverson (48 in 2001) and George Mikan (42 in 1949). However, even with such an impressive feat, winning isn’t assured—Indiana’s perfect play in the clutch and their bench’s shooting (all five starters hit double digits) shifted the momentum.The Finals are definitely a marathon, not just a quick sprint. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault reflected this idea, stressing the need for adaptability and staying calm after the defeat. With SGA channeling Kobe’s unyielding spirit, OKC appears prepared to treat Game 2—and the whole series—as a clean slate.Also Read: Mark Daigneault defends Oklahoma City Thunder’s mindset amid rising pressure and home-court stakesShai Gilgeous-Alexander’s stellar performance in Game 1 proved he can score alongside the legends. Yet, it’s his mindset—fueled by his respect for Kobe Bryant—that may shape the future of OKC. As the Thunder gear up for Game 2, their MVP’s promise to “reflect that competitive fire” could be the spark that changes a devastating loss into a historic turnaround.
