Thunder Players Hilariously Bark at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander After Game 1 Win vs. Pelicans

Karl Rasmussen | Apr 22, 2024

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dribbles the ball. / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an MVP-level performance during Sunday's Game 1 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, and his Oklahoma City Thunder teammates bizarrely hyped him up after his postgame interview by barking at him like a dog.

After Gilgeous-Alexander's 28-point outing, which included a clutch go-ahead bucket late into the fourth quarter, his Thunder teammates decided to join in on his postgame interview with Stephanie Ready of TNT.

Ready didn't seem to have any doubts as to why the likes of Chet Holmgren, Jaylen Williams and Lu Dort, among others, were gathering around her and Oklahoma City's MVP candidate. After she finished asking Gilgeous-Alexander some questions about the game, she stepped aside and let his teammates take over.

The surrounding players proceeded to begin barking like dogs while Gilgeous-Alexander stood by with a big grin on his face.

The @okcthunder brings the dogs out after their Game 1 win! 🗣️🐶 pic.twitter.com/HQVdUAvPaq

— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2024

It's not the first time the Thunder have celebrated a big win with some postgame barks. After securing the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, Oklahoma City's squad got Bally Sports Oklahoma reporter Nick Gallo to do his best impression of a dog.

Gilgeous-Alexander's late heroics helped secure an important first win of the series, and his teammates left no doubt as to whether they feel the star point guard has any "dog" in him.