Spurs Fans Erupt with 'Flopper' Chants Against Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Gilgeous-Alexander answered the chants with a perfect 12-for-12 night at the line and 26 points as Oklahoma City took a 2-1 series lead.
- Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander received "flopper!" chants from San Antonio Spurs fans en route to a 123-108 road victory on Friday in Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference Finals.
- Critics continue to debate whether the 27-year-old's foul-drawing tactics cross the line, as Gilgeous-Alexander entered the series averaging 10 free throw attempts per game, the most of any remaining postseason player.
- Spurs coach Mitch Johnson dismissed claims of officiating bias, attributing the fouls to his team's "undisciplined" defense; Johnson said defenders were "first off the floor," allowing Gilgeous-Alexander to capitalize on positioning.
- Gilgeous-Alexander downplayed the taunts, stating, "It does nothing. Doesn't fuel me, doesn't discourage me." He emphasized remaining focused on the court rather than opposing crowd noise.
- Heading into Sunday's Game 4, the Thunder hold a 2-1 series lead in San Antonio. The team maintains momentum after overcoming an early 15-0 deficit in Game 3.
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Clayton News
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder eye commanding 3-1 lead over Spurs
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn't fazed by the repeated chants of "flopper" from the opposing crowd in the second half of Friday's 123-108 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.
The visiting Spurs opened the game with a great 15-0 lead, but ultimately lost by the same number of points.
The winning team in this series of titans between the Spurs and Thunder will reach the NBA Grand Final. The Thunder is aiming for a 2nd title in a row.
“Flopper” Chants Come Back to Haunt Spurs as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Responds After Thunder Silence Victor Wembanyama & Co.
“Flopper!” chants erupted through the Frost Bank Center in the third quarter of Game 3 – tens of thousands of Spurs fans serenading Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as he hit the deck after contact from Stephon Castle. The whistle blew. SGA rose, walked calmly to the line, and drained his free throw. And then he went and did it eleven more times. San Antonio’s crowd was buzzing after that 15–0 haymaker. A lesser team would’ve panicked. Instead, the Thund…
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