SGA Vows to 'Be Better' After Thunder's 2OT Loss to Wembanyama, Spurs in NBA Playoffs

After the Oklahoma City Thunder suffered their first loss of the 2026 NBA playoffs in a thrilling 122-115 double-overtime defeat against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shouldered the blame for the outcome.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who was named MVP of the 2025-26 season on Sunday, vowed to "be better" following a 7-of-23 shooting performance in Game 1.

"We just got to be better — me, in particular," Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters after Monday's defeat. "I have to be better, especially against a team of this caliber. Nothing more than that."

Spurs-Thunder Highlights

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Despite losing four of five games to the Spurs in the regular season, the Thunder entered the Western Conference Finals favored to get back to the NBA Finals for a second consecutive year.

While there's still a long way to go in this series, Game 1 was an indication those previous results weren't a fluke for a young San Antonio team that was playing without De'Aaron Fox due to an ankle injury.

Victor Wembanyama turned in one of the most impressive playoff performances in recent memory. The Spurs phenom finished with 41 points, 24 rebounds, three assists and three blocks.

San Antonio's defense was incredible, limiting the Thunder to 40.6 percent shooting. Alex Caruso was the only Oklahoma City player to shoot better than 45.0 percent with at least seven field-goal attempts.

Gilgeous-Alexander, whose hallmark is his efficient scoring prowess, had his worst shooting game of the 2025-26 season by field-goal percentage (30.4). He helped make up for it by tying his playoff career-high with 12 assists, but the Thunder need him to make shots if they want to keep up with the Spurs.

History does suggest Gilgeous-Alexander will figure things out. In his four starts against the Spurs during the regular season, he shot 50.6 percent from the field.

The Thunder will need to find answers quickly to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole in a playoff series for the first time since the first round against the Houston Rockets in 2020.

San Antonio and Oklahoma City will play Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET.