Locked In: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stays ready as Thunder await next challenge

As the Oklahoma City Thunder await their second-round opponent, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t treating the break like downtime, he’s treating it like an opportunity. While practice time is rare during the regular season, this playoff gap has allowed OKC’s All-NBA guard to fine-tune his game and keep the team locked in for what’s ahead.

“It’s not really like a training camp,” SGA said. “It’s just time to sharpen the screws. Find that balance between working on things and staying fresh.”

The Thunder didn’t miss a beat out of the break before the first round, and Gilgeous-Alexander hopes to repeat that with a potential matchup against either the Clippers or Nuggets on the horizon. While fans might circle a Clippers-Thunder series as a revenge storyline for SGA, the All-Star has moved on.

“I haven’t thought about them in years,” he said of his former team. “Those are the cards I was dealt. I just try to make the best of them.”

What SGA is thinking about is keeping his edge. Whether it’s watching playoff film, pushing through full-speed drills, or staying after practice for one-on-one workouts with rookie Dillon Jones, Gilgeous-Alexander remains locked in.

“Practicing with someone like Dillon helps make it more game-like,” he explained. “You’re not just taking the same shot four times in a row. You’re reacting, adjusting, like in a game.”

Beyond skill work, the Thunder’s star is staying mentally sharp. SGA noted that playoff motivation isn’t hard to find—“it’s what you work all summer and all season for” but the key is keeping conditioning high and focus tight. Coach Mark Daigneault has helped by structuring practices with scrimmage-style sequences to simulate game rhythm.

The chemistry across the roster has also helped OKC stay engaged during the break, especially with key young players like Chet Holmgren continuing to grow into their roles. SGA praised Holmgren’s development, calling him “a world of a better player” from the start of the season.

“He’s smarter, more physical, the game’s slowing down for him,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “The talent’s always been there, but the work ethic is what separates him.”

That work-first mentality defines the Thunder’s identity and it starts with SGA. Despite his rise to superstardom, he remains deeply connected to the locker room. Whether joking with teammates or pushing through reps in silence, his presence continues to shape the culture of a team now on the brink of a deep playoff run.

“I just try to be the best teammate, best basketball player, best person I can be,” he said. “And hopefully the chips fall where they’re supposed to.”