Following the Oklahoma City Thunder's remarkable playoff victory over the Denver Nuggets, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took to social media to address the mixed reactions surrounding his demeanor after the team’s Game 3 loss. In a post on Instagram, Gilgeous-Alexander referenced a viral photo of himself smiling, which drew both curiosity and critique from fans. 'They thought I was whyling when I was smiling,' he wrote in the caption, highlighting the juxtaposition of his positive exterior against the backdrop of a challenging series.

After the Thunder's 113-104 defeat to the Nuggets in Game 3 left them trailing 2-1 in the series, the three-time All-Star explained the reasoning behind his cheerful composure. 'Some fans were taunting me,' Gilgeous-Alexander stated during a post-game press conference. '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.' His perspective underscored a resilient mindset as the team sought to overturn the series deficit.

In the subsequent games, Gilgeous-Alexander demonstrated his offensive prowess, averaging an impressive 30.8 points and 5.8 assists per game over the final four contests of the series. His standout performance came in Game 7, where he scored 35 points in the Thunder's decisive 125-93 victory. His contributions included four assists and three steals, showcasing his all-around skills while shooting an efficient 12-of-19 from the field. With this victory, the Thunder have advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016, setting the stage for an exciting matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves as they aim for a chance to compete in the NBA Finals.