Following the Oklahoma City Thunder's elimination of the Denver Nuggets from the playoffs, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took to Instagram to reference a viral image of himself smiling during a challenging moment. In his post, he noted, 'They thought I was whyling when I was smiling.' This came after he was seen with a smile while walking off the court, even in the wake of the Thunder's 113-104 loss to Denver in Game 3, which placed Oklahoma City in a 2-1 series deficit.

After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander addressed reporters, sharing the context behind his demeanor. 'Some fans were taunting me,' he stated, emphasizing his understanding of the game's dynamics. '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 performance of the three-time All-Star was pivotal as he averaged 30.8 points and 5.8 assists per game over the last four contests in the series. His standout moment came during Game 7, where he scored 35 points in a commanding 125-93 victory. Additionally, he contributed four assists and three steals, showcasing efficiency by shooting 12-of-19 from the field. With this win, the Thunder advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016, where they are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves for a chance to reach the NBA Finals.