Following the Oklahoma City Thunder's success in eliminating the Denver Nuggets from the playoffs, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander referenced a viral photo of himself that showcased a smile in an Instagram post. In a lighthearted caption, he remarked, "They thought I was whyling when I was smiling," alluding to the reactions that accompanied his demeanor during a challenging moment in the series.

Gilgeous-Alexander drew attention when, after the Thunder's 113-104 loss to the Nuggets in Game 3, he was seen smiling while exiting the court. This loss placed the Thunder in a 2-1 series deficit. He later explained to reporters that some fans had been taunting him, stating, "I know how the game goes, I know how life is. It's easy to taunt when you're up, and I don't ever want to show them that I'm defeated or mad or anything like that. Nothing's written. The series is not over and we have a lot to be optimistic about."

The three-time All-Star made a significant impact in the series, averaging 30.8 points and 5.8 assists per game over the last four contests. His standout performance came in Game 7, where he scored 35 points in Oklahoma City's commanding 125-93 victory over Denver. In that game, he also contributed four assists and three steals, shooting an impressive 12-of-19 from the field. With this victory, the Thunder advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016 and are now set to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves for a chance to reach the NBA Finals.