Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made headlines following the Oklahoma City Thunder's playoff elimination of the Denver Nuggets, particularly after he referenced a viral photo on social media where he was seen smiling. Gilgeous-Alexander, a candidate for the MVP award, shared a caption on Instagram stating, "They thought I was whyling when I was smiling," highlighting his perspective during a challenging moment for his team.

During Game 3 of the playoff series, the Thunder faced a 113-104 defeat against the Nuggets, which placed Oklahoma City in a 2-1 series deficit. After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander addressed reporters and explained that the taunts from fans contributed to his demeanor on the court. "Some fans were taunting me," he said, expressing his understanding of the emotional dynamics in sports. "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."

Gilgeous-Alexander's performance throughout the series was noteworthy, averaging 30.8 points and 5.8 assists per game over the final four contests. Notably, he delivered a remarkable 35-point performance in Game 7, contributing to the Thunder's decisive 125-93 victory that secured their advancement to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016. In that game, he also tallied four assists and three steals, shooting an impressive 12-of-19 from the field. The Thunder will now face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves, seeking to secure their place in the NBA Finals.