The Oklahoma City Thunder’s star point guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, has always been known for his scoring ability, but with the injury to Chet Holmgren, his role has evolved into something much more complex.
After an electrifying 45-point performance in the Thunder’s narrow 128-134 victory over the LA Clippers, Gilgeous-Alexander reflected on how he’s navigating the pressure of leading the team in the absence of one of its key pieces.
In his post-game comments, Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged the delicate balance every elite player must strike between being aggressive on offense and facilitating for teammates. “Every great player fights trying to find a balance between when to score, take over, and when to make the right play and get your teammates involved,” he said. “And it’s something that I continue to work on and continue to get better at. Both of them work hand in hand.”
The career-high scoring night was a testament to Gilgeous-Alexander’s growth as a leader, but he’s keenly aware of the challenges that lie ahead for the Thunder. Holmgren, who was expected to be a cornerstone of the team’s defense and frontcourt presence, will be sidelined for at least two months due to a right iliac hip fracture suffered during the Thunder’s loss to the Golden State Warriors on November 10. This injury only adds to the team’s growing list of setbacks, with Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams also out due to injury. The Thunder are now facing the harsh reality of playing without a true center, which will only increase the demands on Gilgeous-Alexander to step up.
Looking back at last season, Gilgeous-Alexander spoke candidly about the team’s struggles in the 2024 playoffs, particularly in their elimination. “I don’t say this to slight my teammates,” he explained, “but I feel like at the end of our season last year, in the playoffs — obviously, for a lot of them, it was the first time in the playoffs and playing games that meaningful. And I don’t want to say they weren’t ready, but I feel like I could have equipped them better throughout the year in taking shots, getting to spots, and being more comfortable in certain positions on the court, especially offensively.”
While it’s easy for a player to dwell on missed opportunities in hindsight, Gilgeous-Alexander has chosen to focus on what he can control moving forward. “When we lost, I thought about why we lost,” he admitted. “Obviously, there are so many things to nitpick. At the end of the day, I can only control what I can control. I try to look at it through that lens. I think that’s one of the things I can definitely control through my play on a night-to-night basis.”
Despite his record-breaking performance against the Clippers, Gilgeous-Alexander remains grounded. “It’s very easy to get caught in individual performances,” he said. “But no individual has ever won a championship. That’s my main goal with basketball.” This humility underscores his maturity as a leader, understanding that individual accolades are secondary to the collective goal of bringing a championship to Oklahoma City.
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The Thunder’s situation is further complicated by injuries to Holmgren, Hartenstein, and Williams, which has forced the team to adapt on the fly. Without a true center, the Thunder have had to rely more heavily on their small-ball lineup and quick transitions, a strategy that places even more pressure on Gilgeous-Alexander’s playmaking ability. The team’s ability to maintain their pace and flow without key players has been a point of emphasis for Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates.
In the wake of Holmgren’s injury, forward Jalen Williams spoke about the team’s mindset moving forward. “It’s just trusting each other to make extra plays, and not try and force stuff because (Holmgren is) out,” he said. “That’s something that we had to do without (Hartenstein) playing. … Just human nature, you try to get it all back at once. So, I think we’ve done a good job of just helping each other out as a team.”
Despite the adversity, the Thunder are showing resilience. The team has remained competitive, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge. The key to their success during this stretch will likely hinge on how effectively he can manage the demands of being both the primary scorer and facilitator. The absence of Holmgren and others forces the team to adjust, but it also opens the door for Gilgeous-Alexander to further cement his status as one of the league’s brightest young stars.
As for Gilgeous-Alexander, the challenge of stepping up in the wake of Holmgren’s injury is just another opportunity for him to showcase his growth as a leader. He has already demonstrated that he can shoulder the offensive load when necessary, but it’s his leadership off the court and his ability to elevate his teammates that will define the Thunder’s success in the months to come.
The Thunder will have to continue to lean on their depth and adaptability as they navigate the injury-riddled early portion of the season. With the likes of Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and others stepping into larger roles, Oklahoma City remains a team to watch. However, their success will ultimately depend on whether they can maintain their cohesion and continue to find ways to win despite the adversity they face.
With the road ahead looking uncertain, one thing remains clear: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is ready to lead the Thunder through this tough stretch and beyond. And while he remains focused on improving every aspect of his game, his ultimate goal remains unchanged — to bring a championship back to Oklahoma City.
