Without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder are a very different basketball team.
One of the NBA’s premier ball-handlers is taken out of the offensive equation for OKC, and the ones who are usually behind him get pushed up a slot in the proverbial pecking order.
On Friday night, the Phoenix Suns came to town, and they felt the wrath of the SGA-less Thunder. Led by Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams, OKC tore Phoenix apart, taking upwards of a 20-point lead in the third quarter and never looking back, eventually winning 128-103.
With SGA sitting on the bench in an oversized lavender hoodie, it was easy to think that OKC was going to be chasing the full-strength Suns, but the outcome couldn’t have been more different.
Giddey took over the game, scoring 23 points and providing his typical dose of passing prowess in unusually overpowering fashion. Giddey’s near triple-double stamped out any chance of a Phoenix comeback, and gave OKC a massive win to keep up with Denver and Minnesota for the race to the top of the Western Conference.
Friday was another data point in what can now be considered a trend. Giddey has been terrific in March, but he has really put it together over the past four games. In those games, Giddey has averaged 24.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists.
Early in the season, for a well-known variety of reasons, Giddey became the subject of intense criticism, and his play on the court was just as big a reason as his actions off of it. He was often played off the court over the first few months of the season, but if Giddey has put his poor play behind him, OKC’s ultimate ceiling will have to be reevaluated, along with Giddey’s long-term fit in OKC.
Williams’ role as SGA’s co-star is well established, but for most of the season, Giddey’s role going into the future was unknown. Giddey will have to continue to be consistent if he wants to win back the affection of all OKC fans, but if he can finish the season strong, and fit in as the fourth option, he will prove to be very valuable due to his size and rebounding.
Giddey needs to put together more than a few-week stretch to alleviate all concerns, but he has done more for his stock with the fanbase in the last month than he did during the whole season prior. How he adapts to SGA being back in the lineup will be crucial, but if the three-point shot has truly come along, even at a passable rate, then his future may be a whole lot brighter than anyone thought a few weeks ago.
