Thunder’s Gilgeous-Alexander Pulls Down Rebound While Holding Shoe
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is working on a career year in 2023. In his fifth season, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging a sterling 31.4 points per game; he ranks in the top 10 in the league in that category, steals per game and free-throw percentage.
For all his spectacular feats this year, however, none can quite compare with one sequence in Oklahoma City’s 121–117 loss to the Pacers on Friday.
With 4:31 left in the first half, Gilgeous-Alexander drove in for a layup to cut Indiana’s lead to 55–48. Falling to the ground, he lost his shoe, giving the Pacers a 5-on-4 opportunity.
Thinking quickly, Gilgeous-Alexander picked up his shoe and ran back on defense. He arrived just in time to rebound a three-point attempt from Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, shoe still in hand, and quickly offload the ball to guard Luguentz Dort.
The surreal sequence almost served to mask another brilliant individual effort from Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished the night with 39 points and nine rebounds in a losing effort.
