Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was critical of his Game 1 performance following the team's 122-115 double-overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.
"We just got to be better - me, in particular," Gilgeous-Alexander said, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "I have to be better, especially against a team of this caliber. Nothing more than that."
Gilgeous-Alexander became the 14th player in NBA history to win back-to-back MVP awards Sunday. However, he struggled on the court the following night, shooting 7-of-23 from the field while posting 24 points, 12 assists, and four turnovers in 51 minutes.
He particularly struggled through the first three quarters, recording just 10 points. San Antonio regularly threw double-teams at the 27-year-old, forcing him to pass and limiting his offensive production.
Gilgeous-Alexander's 30.4% shooting mark is his second worst this postseason and his sixth worst among 55 career playoff games.
Victor Wembanyama, who finished third in MVP voting behind Nikola Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander, outperformed the guard by tallying 41 points, 24 rebounds, and three blocks. The 7-foot-4 center caused a ruckus for the Thunder's offense all night, consistently protecting the rim and forcing them to take shots outside the paint.
"It's obviously challenging - very tall, very long, deters a lot of things at the rim," Gilgeous-Alexander said of Wembanyama. "You've got to be smart when you go in there. Be patient but also be aggressive. Don't be too timid in there.
"I think you get caught worrying about it too much and you lose aggression. That's where they really put a stranglehold on the game. You've got to be able to be aggressive but also be smart."
The Thunder will look to rebound in Game 2 on Wednesday.
