Early in the second quarter on Sunday, a Phoenix Suns announcer blasted OKC Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In a play involving Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell, who shoved away his defender, the analyst criticized SGA. The announcer accused the OKC superstar of “multiple” offensive fouls every game.
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The comment went viral, sparking reactions from fans:
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“Announcer spoke for the whole league. finally someone exposing the push-off merchant on national tv. if refs actually called offensive fouls, shai would foul out by halftime. nasty work.”
One fan said:
Another fan commented:
One more fan continued:
Anoter fan wrote:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has often been criticized for alleged foul-baiting tactics over the past few seasons. Non-Thunder supporters have accused him of flopping and sticking out his foot when taking jumpers to fish for a foul. When SGA plays away from Oklahoma City, opposing fans often serenade him with “free throw merchant” or “foul merchant” chants.
Two nights ago in Golden State, SGA drove into the paint against Warriors center Al Horford. The big man did not even touch the point guard, but SGA seemingly stuck out one foot that hit Horford before falling to the floor. Despite vehement protests from the Dubs and the Chase Center crowd, Gilgeous-Alexander was awarded two free throws.
The referee who called the foul indicated that Horford used his forearm to push against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just as the point guard went for the shot. Still, plays like that have made many critical of SGA’s game.
Suns held Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to seven first-half points
This season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.1 points per game on 56.1% shooting, including 42.5% from deep. He usually hits double-digit scoring before the first quarter ends.
On Sunday, the Phoenix Suns‘ defense held the 2025 NBA Finals MVP to seven first-half points. Dillon Brooks, Devin Booker, Ryan Dunn, Jordan Goodwin, Collin Gillespie and Mark Williams all had a hand in containing the explosive scorer.
SGA’s previous first-half low this season was in the season opener against the Houston Rockets. He had five points after the opening two quarters before finishing with 35.
Despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s low-scoring first half, the Thunder offense remained formidable. They led by 18 points in the second quarter, via a 13-1 run midway through the period, before settling for a 49-42 advantage at halftime.
The Suns’ defense could not contain SGA for long, though. He dropped 12 points in the third quarter to help pick up the scoring slack after his teammates struggled. SGA’s scoring was much needed as the Suns won the period 32-24 to lead 74-73 entering the final 12 minutes.
Edited by Michael Macasero
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