Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Recalls Viral Smiling Photo After Thunder Eliminate Nuggets

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander referenced the viral photo of himself smiling in an Instagram post after the Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the Denver Nuggets from the playoffs on Sunday.

"They thought I was whyling when I was smiling," Gilgeous-Alexander wrote in the caption.

The MVP candidate generated attention when he was seen smiling while walking off the floor following Oklahoma City's 113-104 loss to Denver in Game 3, putting the Thunder in a 2-1 series deficit.

"Some fans were taunting me," Gilgeous-Alexander explained to reporters after the game. "I know how the game goes, I know how life is. It's easy to taunt when you're up, and I don't ever want to show them that I'm defeated or mad or anything like that. Nothing's written. The series is not over and we have a lot to be optimistic about."

The three-time All-Star ended up averaging 30.8 points and 5.8 assists per game over the final four contests in the series.

This included a 35-point performance in Oklahoma City's lopsided 125-93 win in Game 7 on Sunday. Gilgeous-Alexander also recorded four assists and three steals, shooting 12-of-19 from the field.

The Thunder advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016 and will now face the Minnesota Timberwolves for an opportunity to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals.