Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Makes Feelings Clear About Austin Reaves Incident in Game 2
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder extended their unbeaten playoff streak to six games on Thursday, securing a 125-107 win in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center.
It was another physical game from the opening tip, with Gilgeous-Alexander once again at the center of accusations from the Lakers over alleged foul baiting. He picked up three fouls by the third quarter, and his fourth was assessed as a Flagrant 1 against Lakers guard Austin Reaves.
Reaves was guarding the MVP favorite from behind when the Thunder star appeared to wrench his arm. The Lakers guard fell awkwardly to the floor and clutched his arm, though no injury was ultimately reported.
Speaking with reporters after the game, Gilgeous-Alexander explained his side of the incident and said he never intended to hurt Reaves.
"I felt like he was hugged around me. I just tried to get loose, our arms got caught, unfortunate. Yeah, I didn't mean to hurt him, obviously, but it's the way it goes. I got a flagrant, it is what it is, gotta move on," he said.
Flagrante 1 para SGA por esta acción contra Reaves. pic.twitter.com/nrSndtcnhd
— Leandro Carranza (@leocarranza99) May 8, 2026
The 27-year-old was initially assessed an offensive foul, but the Thunder coaching staff disagreed with the call and challenged it. The challenge failed, and the foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 1.
"I didn't get an explanation," he said about the Flagrant 1 call. "But I also didn't ask. I'm not going to be able to change the call."
The Lakers have managed to contain Gilgeous-Alexander to some extent in the series, as he has scored just 40 points through two games. However, that has not stopped the Thunder from extending their winning streak to 6-0 in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
"We just stuck with it," Gilgeous-Alexander added. "The game of basketball, it's not always going to go your way. It's about how you respond, and this team has proven many times that we know how to respond. We just did so tonight. Nothing new."
Gilgeous-Alexander finished the game with 22 points, two assists, two rebounds, and four fouls in 28 minutes, while Chet Holmgren recorded 22 points, nine rebounds, four steals, and two blocks in 32 minutes. Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Cason Wallace each posted double figures as well.
Reaves, meanwhile, was the top scorer for the night with 31 points while LeBron James finished with 23 points, six assists, and three steals. Los Angeles is down 2-0, but the good news is the series is shifting to Crypto.com Arena, and the Lakers need to win both games to have a chance.
Game 3 kicks off at 7:30 p.m. CT Saturday in Los Angeles (ABC).
Related: Will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Be Disciplined for Lakers-Thunder Game 2 Incident?
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This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 7:30 AM.