Thunder’s Game 1 loss to Spurs has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looking at the past

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder will not be fazed even after losing Game 1 of their 2026 Western Conference Finals series against the San Antonio Spurs in double overtime, 122-115. Victor Wembanyama was incredibly frightening, recording 41 points and 24 rebounds, but it’s not like this Thunder team hasn’t faced this kind of adversity in the past.

This Thunder team also lost two Game 1s last season, with the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers taking an early lead in their respective series against OKC. Even then, Gilgeous-Alexander and company righted the ship — winning both series in seven games.

The experience Gilgeous-Alexander has accumulated throughout his playoff career is immense as he navigates this young, up-and-coming Spurs team; after all, the two-time MVP came face to face with the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs all the way back when he was a rookie in 2019.

“My first loss was to Golden State with Steph and KD and them but I don’t really remember how it went. But I’ve changed a lot since then,” Gilgeous-Alexander said in his postgame presser, via Oh No He Didn’t on X (formerly Twitter).

Shai on his first playoff loss of his career:

"My first loss was to Golden State with Steph and KD and them. I honestly don't remember but I've changed a lot since then" pic.twitter.com/bC3CoqFJAh

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 19, 2026

Indeed, Gilgeous-Alexander has changed a lot since his rookie campaign. He has come into his own as one of the best players in the NBA after arriving in Oklahoma City courtesy of the Paul George trade, and the way he has had to conduct himself has changed as he emerged as the Thunder’s franchise cornerstone and the league’s most valuable player.

Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the most composed superstars in the NBA; this was the guy who was smiling after losing Game 3 of the Nuggets series last year in overtime, and he did back that up by turning it up as the series progressed.

The Spurs may have the momentum at the moment, but this Thunder team is nothing if not resilient, taking after the identity of the team’s best player.

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