The Oklahoma City Thunder were embarrassed in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday when the Minnesota Timberwolves slaughtered them by a final score of 143-101 to get on the board in the series.
But the Thunder reasserted themselves in Game 4. Although the Timberwolves fought them each step of the way, they withstood the challenge and escaped with a 128-126 victory to take a 3-1 series lead.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the newly minted league MVP, scored 40 points, with 12 of those points coming at the free throw line. At one point in the game, ESPN commentator Doris Burke called him a "free throw merchant."
He said after Game 4 that he doesn't care about that label being attached to him.
"In terms of the label, I don't care," he said. "I've never cared. I shot more free throws in a season than I did this season."
Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA in scoring during the regular season with an average of 32.7 points a game. While he shot 51.9% from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range, plenty of his damage came from the free throw line, where he averaged 8.8 attempts and a league-high 7.9 makes per game.
Jaden McDaniels, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels defends a drive by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
He has gotten some criticism from fans for allegedly manipulating and baiting opponents into fouling him. But he has seemingly mastered the art of drawing fouls, and it is one reason why the Thunder won 68 games during the regular season and are now one game away from the NBA Finals.
The Canadian native also had 10 assists and nine rebounds in Game 4, highlighting his versatility and all-around game. Budding Thunder star forward Jalen Williams contributed 34 points of his own.