Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having a season for the ages - and not just on the court. The reigning NBA MVP and Finals MVP has the Oklahoma City Thunder sitting atop the Western Conference, and he’s doing it with the kind of poise and production that makes you wonder if we’re watching the rise of the league’s next great dynasty. But while the Thunder star has been nearly flawless between the lines, a recent viral moment off the court stirred up more reaction than he might’ve expected.
It all started with a lighthearted - albeit strange - social media joke involving Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo and WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson. Wilson had publicly expressed her desire to have children with Adebayo, which led to a fan poking fun at Thunder GM Sam Presti’s reputation for scouting talent early and often.
The joke? That Presti would be at the baby’s first sonogram.
It was the kind of internet moment that catches fire quickly, and it did just that.
Enter Gilgeous-Alexander, who was asked about the viral post during a recent interview with Rachel Nichols. His response?
Delivered with a grin: “Sam takes his job very seriously, and whatever it takes to be great, he will do so. If that’s what it takes, that’s what it takes.”
The comment, clearly intended as a joke, didn’t land quite as well with Adebayo and Wilson. Both responded on social media, making it clear they weren’t amused.
Adebayo posted, “This is why privacy matters,” while Wilson added, “Y’all don’t think this a lil strange orrr weird..?? But I guess it’s a slow day in the office.”
Their reactions sparked even more conversation online, with fans split between defending the humor and questioning the boundaries of public commentary.
It’s a reminder of how quickly a joke - especially one involving personal topics - can spiral in today’s hyper-connected NBA landscape. For Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s known more for his calm demeanor and elite on-court focus than any off-court controversy, this was a rare moment in the social media spotlight.
But if there’s one thing that can quiet the noise, it’s winning - and Gilgeous-Alexander is doing plenty of that. Through 25 games, he’s averaging a scorching 32.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game.
He’s been the engine behind a Thunder squad that’s not just winning games - they’re dominating. With a 24-2 record, Oklahoma City currently leads the Western Conference and looks every bit the contender they proved to be last season.
Of course, with that kind of production comes scrutiny. Despite his MVP-level numbers, some critics continue to label Gilgeous-Alexander a “free-throw merchant,” suggesting he relies too heavily on drawing fouls. But not everyone sees it that way.
Dwyane Wade, a Hall of Famer who made a career out of slicing through defenses and getting to the line, came to Gilgeous-Alexander’s defense. “The best players, the high IQ players find a way to manipulate the game,” Wade said.
“It’s really about understanding. His understanding of the game, of body movement, of defenses - he’s smart enough to know how to get the call.
And so I don’t feel like that’s a bad thing.”
Wade’s point hits home. Drawing fouls isn’t a flaw - it’s a skill. And in Gilgeous-Alexander’s case, it’s just one part of a complete offensive arsenal that’s torching defenses night after night.
Next up, the Thunder host the Los Angeles Clippers at Paycom Center - a matchup that will test OKC’s early-season dominance. But with Gilgeous-Alexander playing at an MVP level and the team clicking on all cylinders, there’s every reason to believe the Thunder’s hot streak is far from over.
Jokes aside, Shai’s game is no laughing matter.