Shai Gilgeous-Alexander downplays Thunder star’s defense despite holding Victor Wembanyama to 21 points

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gave a blunt answer after the Oklahoma City Thunder adjusted their defense on Victor Wembanyama in Game 2.

The Thunder needed a different answer after Wembanyama controlled long stretches of the Western Conference Finals opener.

Oklahoma City found more physical resistance in Game 2, even if Gilgeous-Alexander was not ready to make the praise sound too generous.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander jokes about Isaiah Hartenstein guarding Victor Wembanyama​

Asked about Isaiah Hartenstein’s defensive impact on Victor Wembanyama, Legion Hoops shared Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s dry response after the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs.

Gilgeous-Alexander said, “Um, I’m not sure if it was good to be honest. Yeah.”

The answer sounded harsh at first, but the tone came across more like deadpan humor than a real criticism of his teammate.

Oklahoma City won Game 2 by a 122-113 score to tie the Western Conference Finals at 1-1, and Hartenstein’s bigger role was one of the clearest changes from the opener.

Wembanyama had overwhelmed the Thunder in Game 1, so Mark Daigneault needed more size, more contact and more resistance before the San Antonio Spurs star could get comfortable.

Isaiah Hartenstein gives the Oklahoma City Thunder a bruising Victor Wembanyama answer​

Hartenstein’s value came from making Wembanyama work earlier in possessions instead of letting him glide into easy catches near the rim.

Wembanyama still finished with 21 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks on 8-of-16 shooting, so this was not a shutdown in the traditional sense.

The difference was that Oklahoma City made those numbers feel harder. Hartenstein used his strength to bump Wembanyama off preferred spots, while Chet Holmgren could stay more available as a weak-side rim protector.

That physical look also helped the Thunder change the rhythm of San Antonio’s offense. The Spurs committed 21 turnovers, and Oklahoma City turned that pressure into a 27-10 advantage in points off turnovers.

Hartenstein added 10 points and 13 rebounds, including 8 offensive boards, giving the Thunder extra possessions and more interior force than they had in Game 1.

Read more:

• How Victor Wembanyama feels about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning MVP
• How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander turned ruthless efficiency into a second straight MVP
• Stephen A. Smith names his MVP pick as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander beats Jokic and Wembanyama

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