Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (C) scored 15 points in each half of a win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals Wednesday in Oklahoma City. Photo by Gerald Leong/EPA
May 21 (UPI) -- Coach Mark Daigneault's plan to uncage Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paid off, triggering an Oklahoma City Thunder win over the San Antonio Spurs and tying the Western Conference finals at 1-1.
The All-NBA guard, who received his second NBA MVP Award on Monday, totaled 30 points, nine assists, four rebounds, two blocks and a steal in the 122-113 Game 2 victory Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who shot just 30.4% in Game 1, responded with a 50% shooting clip in Game 2, while morphing into the gasoline fueling the Thunders' offensive engine. He scored 15 points in each half.
"I was saying we have to do a better job of getting him in advantageous situations and I thought we did that with the way we ran offense," Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters. "And he played better. That part too. I thought we all played better.
