Shai Gilgeous-Alexander saw his hopes of back-to-back NBA championships dashed on Saturday night as the San Antonio Spurs secured a dramatic victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. However, the two-time MVP faced renewed allegations of flopping from fans on social media.
The officials' treatment of Gilgeous-Alexander became a recurring theme throughout the Western Conference Finals, and the Thunder star was once again under scrutiny on Saturday night. Oklahoma City fell 111-103 in Game 7, but social media was flooded with comments accusing him of 'foul baiting' and 'flopping.'
One clip that quickly went viral showed Gilgeous-Alexander crashing to the floor after appearing to initiate contact with Devin Vassell. In another incident, the Thunder star brushed against Stephon Castle while jumping to shoot. Gilgeous-Alexander landed on his opponent's foot and then tumbled to the ground, but no foul was called this time.
'Refs aren't falling for SGA's flops,' one fan wrote alongside the video. Another user accused him of 'foul baiting' and being the 'worst MVP the league has seen.' 'All he does is flop,' another claimed, while one fan urged officials to be stricter, writing: 'Come on, stop calling this BS.'
Gilgeous-Alexander was also mocked after the Thunder's playoff exit, with one fan writing: 'He can finally receive treatment for his vertigo over the summer.' Despite the criticism, Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 points and nine assists, but for the eighth consecutive season, the NBA will have a new champion.
'They were just the better team tonight, from start to finish,' he said after the game. 'And every time we tried to cut into it and take control of the game, it felt like they had an answer. Hats off to them. They played better tonight and they deserved to win the game.'
