Alexander takes over the game with 42 points: "Let the game tell me what to do."

In the third game of the Western Conference first-round series, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Phoenix Suns 121-109, taking a 3-0 lead in the series and securing match point.

Defending MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a historic performance, shooting 15-for-18 and scoring a career-high 42 points in the playoffs, along with 8 assists.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shot an impressive 83.3% from the field, becoming only the fifth player in NBA history to score at least 40 points in a playoff game with a field goal percentage exceeding 80%. With his second-leading scorer, Jalen Williams, sidelined with injury and the opponent employing double-teams, he took over the offense with his exceptional individual skills.

Previously, Suns forward Dillon Brooks had mocked Alexander for scoring by flopping and drawing fouls. In the final quarter of this game, after scoring on a hard-fought basket, Alexander unusually roared at the bench, "I don't need that (foul call)!"

In a post-match interview, Alexander responded calmly: "I just felt the referee missed a call, but I still scored. It's okay, that's all."

When discussing his outburst when key teammates were absent, Alexander demonstrated the composure and strategic vision of a leader: "No matter who is on the court, I will play my own game. The coach and my teammates have given me plenty of room to perform."

“Without a second ball-handler, possession naturally becomes more concentrated in my hands. But when faced with these extra opportunities, I try not to put pressure on myself. I let things happen naturally and let the game itself tell me what to do, which usually works.”

It was with this calm mindset that Alexander scored 25 points in the second half, not only breaking the team's curse of a weak Game 3 on the road last year, but also leading the Thunder to close in on a third consecutive first-round sweep.

Image source: Internet/ESPN official website