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There is currently a race for the best record in the NBA and also the top seed in the Western Conference. While many thought that the Oklahoma City Thunder would retain their top placement, the San Antonio Spurs are now just two games back of usurping them of that title. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander noticed this and dared to say that he likes this race to the NBA Playoffs by the Victor Wembanyama-led squad.
Thunder star thanks Spurs for more playing time before NBA Playoffs
A year back, Gilgeous-Alexander had already secured the top record in the Western Conference a week before the postseason started. This meant that they started resting him so that he would be ready when the NBA Playoffs rolled around. It is all different in the 2025-26 season. The Thunder just sit at 57 wins while the Spurs trail them with 55 wins of their own. It is very clear that Wembanyama and Co. want that top spot too for a better shot at the Larry O'Brien trophy.
Gilgeous-Alexander welcomed this challenge and even claimed that this would be a very huge help for the Thunder's rhythm, via Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic.
"Personally speaking, I like it. Last year, I had too much time off before the playoffs, so I think I was a little bit rusty going to the playoffs. I just love to play, so I’ll get a chance to go out there and play a few more games, which would be fun. Last year, we were in a more fortunate situation to take rest. This year, San Antonio is close behind us, so we don’t have that, I guess you can say, luxury, but we have got to go use these opportunities to grow regardless," the Thunder star declared.
There was a big thorn on their way to retaining the top spot in the West. The Boston Celtics threw the kitchen and then some at them which led to their first loss in 10 games. Gilgeous-Alexander pointed out that this 119-109 defeat meant that he and his Thunder teammates need more time to work on their styles of play before the NBA Playoffs.
"Making sure guys are more in rhythm and in flow out there. Guys like Dub, like Chet, I don’t feel like they had a good pop to their game today. It’s my job to make sure that those guys are flowing and in rhythm. No matter how good or bad my night is, that’s something I can’t waver. I think it’s more, like, just them being in more positions to be successful. Like, cater to their game. That’s the takeaway. So, I’ll probably go look and see how I can help those guys out there," he added.
Only nine games remain for the Thunder and Spurs' regular seasons. Will Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. retain homecourt advantage throughout the whole NBA Playoffs?
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