The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their dominant postseason run with a first-round sweep of the Phoenix Suns, advancing to the Western Conference semifinals behind another standout performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The All-Star guard averaged 33.8 points and 8.0 assists in the series, reinforcing his status as one of the league’s top offensive players.
As Gilgeous-Alexander’s production continues to draw attention, so too does his ability to get to the free-throw line. Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green addressed that aspect of his game, offering a detailed perspective on a frequent topic around the league.
Green acknowledged both the effectiveness and the debate surrounding Gilgeous-Alexander’s approach, particularly in high-stakes playoff settings. “Shai is great at drawing fouls,” Green said. “He uses your leverage against you. He has mastered the art of drawing a foul.”
Draymond Green Compares Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to James Harden on Foul Drawing
GettyOklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green
Green drew a direct comparison between Gilgeous-Alexander and former MVP James Harden, noting similarities in how both players manipulate defenses to create contact.
“He has mastered the art of drawing a foul to the level that James Harden had the art mastered before, but in a different way,” Green said. “He’s mastered the art of it.”
Green emphasized that most of the calls Gilgeous-Alexander receives are legitimate. “If you watch them, most of them are fouls,” he said. “When I say most, I’m talking 90 plus percent of them, they do be fouls.”
Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to consistently generate free throws has been a key part of his scoring profile. During the regular season, he averaged 31.1 points per game while shooting 87.9 percent from the line, often using change of pace and body control to force defenders into contact.
Green also pointed out that the Thunder star’s scoring does not depend solely on foul calls. “Make no mistake about it, Shai can score with the best of them,” he said. “Get the foul without the foul, he can score with the best of them. He is very capable of putting up 40 and having five free throw attempts.”
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Playoff Success Highlights Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Impact
GettyOklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance has translated directly into team success. Oklahoma City completed its third consecutive first-round sweep, improving to 12-0 in opening-round games under head coach Mark Daigneault.
In the Game 4 closeout win, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and added eight assists as six Thunder players finished in double figures. Chet Holmgren contributed 24 points, while the team shot 50 percent from three-point range and 86 percent from the free-throw line.
After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander highlighted the importance of starting strong in the postseason. “It is a really good feeling,” he said. “Just confidencewise, as a group, it’s good to get the playoff runs started off that way.”
Opposing players have also recognized his impact. Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker said, “He’s the MVP of the league, and he’s playing the best basketball in the league for the past two years.”
Despite the praise, the discussion around officiating and foul calls remains part of the broader conversation. Green acknowledged that some of the frustration stems from how similar plays were handled in previous eras.
“Some of them I think back in the old days officials would see that and be like I’m not calling it,” Green said. “Especially in the playoffs. They wouldn’t call it. And so I can understand the frustration.”
Still, Green reiterated that the majority of calls are warranted based on how Gilgeous-Alexander creates contact within the rules.
As the Thunder prepare for the next round, their success continues to center on a balanced roster and a leading scorer who has refined one of the most effective offensive tools in today’s game.
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