Latest news with #OKC
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
"Nobody's going to work harder than me this summer" - Anthony Edwards promises to bounce back after another WCF heartbreak
"Nobody's going to work harder than me this summer" - Anthony Edwards promises to bounce back after another WCF heartbreak originally appeared on Basketball Network. After being eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards doesn't want to perceive this defeat as one that badly hurts. Advertisement Despite making it as far as the WCF for the second straight year, only to be sent home again, "Ant-Man" views getting back to this stage as a fun challenge that he mentioned he's going to fully commit himself to doing again next season. "I'm going to work my butt off this summer. Nobody's going to work harder than me this summer, I'll tell you that much. I'll try to make it happen again for Mike [Conley]," said Edwards. Hurt for a different reason The 6'3" guard singled out his teammate Mike Conley — who sat beside him at his postgame presser — because he knows that the 18-year veteran's time in the league is about to end. Edwards values the 37-year-old point guard a ton because they've shared a close relationship over the last three years. The former Buckeye, in particular is viewed as the leader of this Timberwolves team. Advertisement But outside of feeling like he let his leader down, the three-time All-Star isn't going to wallow in the disappointing series that Minnesota had. If anything, the 23-year-old superstar feels they got what they wanted, which was to just get to the playoffs and try to wreak havoc, especially after their turbulent regular season. "We thought it was going downhill. We thought it was over for us at one point, it got real bad. Then we got hurt. But like Mike said, we turned it around, and I remember having that conversation like we just got to get to the playoffs, then we'll figure it out. So yeah man, we did pretty good this year and we just came up short again. We'll try to do it next year," said Edwards. Related: "I just got tired of hearing it and just thought it was best for me to move on" - Patrick Ewing admits he regrets leaving the Knicks out of spite It's about getting to OKC's level One of the reasons why Edwards isn't also angry about losing to the Thunder is because he's accepted the fact that they were simply the better team in the series. It was OKC's defense in particular that Ant felt they couldn't solve on top of them, simply just being the sharper team in terms of adjustments, IQ, and game plan. Advertisement "It's not frustrating because it's part of the game. Like I said, they're a really good team and everyone here knows it. It's no surprise that this team is pretty good. They were ready. They're very prepared, like I said before, well coached from top to bottom," said Edwards. It seems Georgia product has said the right things, from giving the team that defeated him their flowers to acknowledging what he and his team need to work on to get better. However, it's also one thing to say something rather than actually do it, and it'll be interesting to see what happens in Edwards' case. Will he come out next season looking like nobody worked harder than him over the summer? We'll eventually find out. Related: "You gotta be a role model, and things outside the lines matter" - Perkins on why Edwards can't be considered the face of the league This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Unbothered By "Free Throw Merchant" Label, Wants To Silence Fans With His Game
The Oklahoma City Thunder walk away with a much-needed 128-126 win in Game 4, an effort led by their star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While the league MVP has been heckled and slandered by being called a "free-throw merchant", he finally addressed these comments during the postgame press conference on Monday night. "The way I see it is that fans, they can do whatever they can do to help get you and knock me off my game... that's their job. That's what creates homecourt advantage," said the Thunder guard. "I'd expect nothing less. But in terms of the label, I don't care, never cared." Advertisement "I've said this before, I've shot more free throws in a season than I did this season," he added. "I think because we're on the top of everyone's radar and looking more noticeable, so now people care about it. I've got to see it as a compliment." Gilgeous-Alexander also briefly shared his thoughts on playing on the road and his experiences with hostile road environments and crowds. He said: "It's super fun... It's pretty up there with being at home. The whole building's against you. They can chant whatever they chant, scream whatever they scream. It's your job to go out there and play basketball and shut them up.' With the quality of his performance in Game 4, the Thunder star certainly did. The 26-year-old has looked like the best player on the court for the better part of the Wolves-Thunder series, and with another impressive postseason outing, he etches his name in the history books as well. Advertisement Gilgeous-Alexander recorded a near-triple-double outing of 40 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists. With another 30+ point game, he has also recorded the most 30-point games by a league MVP in the regular season and the playoffs, surpassing Michael Jordan in the process. However, he wasn't the only star for the Thunder on Monday night. Jalen Williams also showed out in Game 4, coming up with a crucial 34 points and five assists on 5-8 shooting from three-point territory. He put his All-Defensive Team selection on full display as well, recording three steals on the night. A key performer for the game was Thunder big man, Chet Holmgren. His impact on both ends of the floor did wonders for the team in outlasting the Wolves in the fourth quarter. Holmgren contributed 21 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks, playing a massive role in helping the Thunder secure a win. Although OKC started strong, the Wolves gradually chipped away at the lead, eventually finding themselves in a position to make a comeback. But the Thunder have displayed tremendous resilience in their ability to choke a potential run. Advertisement A crucial win sees the Thunder in complete control of the series, enjoying a 3-1 lead. With an opportunity to knock Minnesota out of the playoffs and secure their place in the NBA Finals, OKC will aim to approach Game 5 at home with an aggressive outlook to put an end to matters. Related: Timberwolves Fans Heckle "Free Throw Merchant" Shai Gilgeous-Alexander During Game 4 Of NBA West Finals
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Trolls His Dad For Trying To Steal His MVP Trophy
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Trolls His Dad For Trying To Steal His MVP Trophy originally appeared on Fadeaway World. After a dominant Game 5 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves that sent the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first NBA Finals since 2012, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was awarded the Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals MVP trophy, but it was his dad, Vaughn Alexander, who nearly stole the show. Advertisement As the postgame celebrations unfolded, Shai gathered with family to soak in the moment. But as he posed with the hard-earned MVP trophy, he couldn't help but notice something funny: his dad refused to let go of the award. With a sly grin, Shai turned to Vaughn and said, 'You actin' like it's yours.' The moment instantly went viral. Vaughn, fully embracing the playful jab, pretended to stuff the trophy under his sweatshirt and sneak away with it. Shai burst out laughing, capturing a heartwarming exchange between father and son that reminded everyone watching of the importance of family behind basketball's biggest moments. Vaughn's pride was undeniable. After all, his son had just averaged 31.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game in the series, leading the Thunder to a 4–1 win over Minnesota. In the clinching Game 5, SGA posted 34 points on 56 percent shooting along with eight assists and seven rebounds. Advertisement He became the third player in NBA history to record ten 30+ point, 5+ assist games in a single postseason, joining only Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Beyond his Western Conference Finals MVP, Shai is also the 2025 regular-season MVP, an honor earned with averages of 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and five rebounds per game for the 68-win Thunder. He's been the engine behind OKC's remarkable transformation from a 24-win team just three seasons ago to a juggernaut with homecourt advantage in the Finals. The WCF MVP trophy moment was also a full-circle one for the Alexander family. Shai's father played basketball in his youth, and his mother Charmaine, competed in track at the 1992 Olympics. Advertisement The athletic lineage is undeniable and even extended to the opposing team, as SGA's cousin Nickeil Alexander-Walker plays for the Timberwolves. While Vaughn may not have actually won the trophy himself, his support and presence throughout Shai's rise to superstardom is symbolic. In that one playful moment, we saw the years of investment, sacrifice, and belief that fueled one of the NBA's best players. With the Finals looming on June 5 against either the Indiana Pacers or New York Knicks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are locked in. If OKC goes on to win the championship, Vaughn may once again have trouble keeping his hands off the next piece of hardware, and this time, maybe he'll have earned a tiny piece of it himself. Advertisement Related: "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Saved The NBA" - Former NBA Player Makes Bold Claim About Copycat League This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Anthony Edwards gives hilarious comparison to Thunder's defense
Anthony Edwards gives hilarious comparison to Thunder's defense Seeing Alex Caruso catch up, Naz Reid ruined a fastbreak situation before it even developed into a shot attempt. He dribbled the ball off his foot and created another avoidable turnover for Minnesota. That about summed up the night. The Oklahoma City Thunder destroyed the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 124-94 Game 5 win. They won the Western Conference Finals and punched their ticket to the 2025 NBA Finals. Like it's been the case all year, the Thunder relied on their league-best defense to carry them throughout the West. They were a buzzsaw through the first three rounds with a 12-4 record. In a closeout game, they amped it up on that end. The Thunder only allowed nine first-quarter points. The Timberwolves turned it over an eye-popping 21 times. Minnesota looked scared with its season on the line. Every time Anthony Edwards had the ball, Lu Dort would press him near full-court like it was high school recess. It was another bad showing for Minnesota's superstar. Besides Game 3, Edwards was erased from the floor. He averaged a quiet 23 points on 47.1% shooting in the series. The Thunder turned the 23-year-old into a playmaker instead of a high-volume scorer. While the Thunder enjoyed their postgame ceremony with hats and shirts being handed out, Edwards talked about what transpired in a 30-point loss. He had quite the creative comparison to OKC's historic defense. "One string, 15 puppets on one string," Edwards said. That's a hilarious and accurate way to put it. The Thunder plays defense like they can read each other's minds. When one player rotated over to contest an outside shot, the next player was already on the move to the next guy. Edwards had no room to work against OKC all series.
USA Today
13 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
After NBA Finals berth, Mark Daigneault reflects on relationship with Sam Presti
After NBA Finals berth, Mark Daigneault reflects on relationship with Sam Presti The Paycom postgame scene was a little different than usual. Instead of fans filing out, they stayed put. The Oklahoma City Thunder let the final seconds tick off to finalize their 124-94 Game 5 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves to punch their ticket to the 2025 NBA Finals. As ESPN rolled out the red carpet and presented the Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals MVP trophy to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the OKC trio of Clay Bennett, Sam Presti and Mark Daigneault grouped together as the team donned out in shirts and hats. The ownership-GM-coach vein might be the most critical part of an NBA franchise. Not being on the same page at any level will eventually create chaos that boils over to the on-court product. That's why the Thunder's synergy has resulted in one of the winningest franchises since they relocated in 2008. Presti beats Daigneault in tenure length with the franchise, but the two have been tied at the hip for years. The latter was handpicked and turned into the OKC GM's personal coaching development project. From the G League's OKC Blue coach to the NBA Finals, safe to say the gamble paid off. After Presti and Daigneault reached the pinnacle of their era, the OKC coach was asked about his long journey with the GM. He kept the self-reflection minimal as the Thunder still have the NBA Finals to play for but praised the front office guru for the culture built. "We're in it every day. There's not a lot of reflection going on in any part. I'm incredibly grateful to him. As we all should be. Every single person that's here. The day before they got here, he made the decision to bring them here. It's unbelievable," Daigneault said about Presti. "We all get to benefit from this environment that allows us to do our best work. He's been the architect of that very quietly over time. Has assembled an unbelievable group of people, starting with our locker room. He prioritizes the type of person we bring in." The Thunder are one of the most successful NBA franchises. Sans two rebuilding years, they've always been in the title picture. The cast of characters might've changed over time, but the Gilgeous-Alexander era has already reached the same heights as the Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook era. It's now about climbing that final rung on the NBA ladder with a championship. "He deserves. He works tirelessly. No one is more determined. No one is more relentless in their day-to-day," Daigneault said about Presti. "He'll never make it about him but obviously he's a huge part of this. He and Clay."
