Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pulls down the bars on OKC's save against the Jazz

OKLAHOMA CITY — There are few NBA players better prepared to make the most important shot of a game than Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexanderwho bailed his team out in regulation in a 129-125 overtime victory against the Utah Jazz. Head coach Mark Daigneault says Gilgeous-Alexander is the focus of the game remains the same, even when the game is on the line or early in the first quarter. The condition of SGA does not waver.

This is what makes him an exceptional player. For Gilgeous-Alexander, adapting a certain approach that keeps his confidence high regardless of the game situation took years of work, he said during his postgame media availability.

“It’s definitely the work ethic. It’s the mindset as well. I made it tonight. I missed a lot of shots,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I think once an athlete — me in this situation — realizes if you’re going to make it or you’re going to miss, I’m going to have to do whatever it takes tomorrow to get better and get ready for the next game. Whether I make it or miss it seems big. But in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t really change much.

“And I think that mindset, as well as confidence in your game, takes the weight of the moment off your shoulders. And I think the toughest players in the history of the sport understand that and that’s what makes them who they are,” Gilgeous-Alexander concluded.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander MAKES THE GAME at 114 with zero time left in the game.
We’re going into overtime here at the Paicom Center.
Thunder 114, Jazz 114 pic.twitter.com/6mS3mBl3vv
— Joshua Pavon (@joe_svai) January 8, 2026

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with a game-high 46 points on 14-of-26 shooting, 17-of-19 free throws, six assists, six rebounds, one steal and one block. The Thunder, after back-to-back losses to the Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets, avoided their third straight loss and improved to a league-leading 31-7 record.

Chet Holmgren finished with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting, 12 rebounds and three blocks. Jaylen Williams added 17 points, eight assists and six rebounds in the Thunder’s four-point overtime win against the Jazz.

Mark Daigneault reacts to SGA’s clutch shot for the Thunder

Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) talks to the media after their game against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Pike Center — Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Head coach Mark Daigneault applauded the Thunder’s comeback performance against jazz. After the overtime thriller, Daigneault reflected on what makes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander such a a unique star for Thunder.

“The most impressive thing is how natural he looks regardless of the circumstances. He looks like the same player every minute of the game and every second of the game, until the last seconds,” Daigneault said. “It doesn’t waver. It looks the same in terms of tempo. Everything is even, even in moments of pressure.”

“That’s why he’s such a big pressure player, and he was huge tonight. That was a big play. I mean, he made other plays, but the play down the stretch was great.”

Marc Daigneault on SGA’s impressive fourth quarter: “The most impressive thing is how natural he looks regardless of the circumstances. He looks like the same player every minute of the game…
Everything is consistent even in moments of pressure… tonight was huge. It was a big game.” pic.tvitter.com/BcKJiDU0jj
— Joshua Pavon (@joe_svai) January 8, 2026