Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s intriguing perspective before Thunder title defense

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s intriguing perspective before Thunder title defense

Josue Pavon, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Thu, Apr 16, 2026 ·

3 min read

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's intriguing perspective before Thunder title defense appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

While gearing up for his first-round best-of-7 series, All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put the Oklahoma City Thunder 's title defense into perspective. While the defending champions await its first-round opponent , which will be determined on Friday between the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns in the Play-In Tournament, Gilgeous-Alexander reminded reporters of the long road that lies ahead.

Gilgeous-Alexander vividly remembers the ups and downs endured throughout last year's title run, and knows that unique and unpredictable challenges are on the horizon for the Thunder.

"It's cool. It's an opportunity. I think just going through last year and realizing it's so far down the line, so many things are going to happen before we get to the Finals-clinching game," Gilgeous-Alexander. "To have that opportunity to repeat what we did before is cool. It's so far. So many things have to go our way that I have to control, and so many things we have to control that are hard to control for a long period of time, for us to really get to have that opportunity."

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will host Game 1 at the Paycom Center on Sunday.

Jalen Williams reveals Thunder GM Sam Presti's message

Fourth-year forward Jalen Williams revealed Thunder GM Sam Presti's message to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder before their title defense. While Williams wouldn't confirm whether Presti's words were recent or something said earlier in the regular season, the message truly resonated with Jalen ahead of the playoffs.

"Sam made a really good point, and it was just like, you can play the Finals back, last year, 6 million times, and there's a lot of times we don't win it," Williams said. "You can play a series back 6 million times, and you don't win it. In Memphis, somebody can get hurt. You just never know. I know Indiana feels the exact same way, too. There are a million scenarios they probably replay and feel they should've won.

"So, that's our biggest motivator. We can't go back in time and replicate any of that. And that's what makes this really special for us."

Defending their first title means Williams and the Thunder will take on a different approach than the one that led to a championship in 2025.

"This playoff run is so unique and so different from the last one, and we have to have the humility to understand that," Williams added. "Every series is going to be different. Every game is going to be different. That's how we're going to go in and attack these games."

The Thunder awaits the winner of the Warriors-Suns Play-In Tournament game on Friday.

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