Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is one of the most explosive players in the NBA and the reigning MVP of the competition.
But that doesn’t mean he can’t stop.
Sometimes during the current NBA final, Gilgeous-Alexander has looked too human.
According to Evan Sidery, Gilgeous-Alexander shoots only 35.3 percent in the final when monitors by Andrew Nembhard or Aaron Nesmith.
When Nembhard is on him, Gilgous-Alexander shoots 7-of-20 or 35 percent, with five turnover.
And when it is Nesmith blocking, Gilgous-Alexander shoots 5-of-14 or 35.7 percent, with two turnover.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shoots 35.3% in the NBA Finals when guarded by Andrew Nembhard or Aaron Nesmith:
Nembhard: 7-out-20 (35%) + 5 turnover
Nesmith: 5-out-14 (35.7%) + 2 turnoverThe top two defenders of Indiana make it very difficult for SGA. pic.twitter.com/m0fsbiczab
– Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 12, 2025
These two players from Indiana Pacers have received a lot of attention lately, especially because of how stifling their defense has been.
They have been electric in many ways, from their speed to their energy, but it is the defense that has done the most work.
Gilgous-Alexander is a sensational shooter and he can find several ways to score.
He is great with his own shots, with assists and with drawing errors.
He still had a pretty impact on this series, but it would have been a lot bigger if it wasn’t for Nembhard and Nesmith.
Now the question is whether these two can sustain it for the rest of the final.
The Thunder will of course trust Gilgeous-Alexander as much as possible if they can, and if Nembhard and Nesmith continue to push him hard, their chances of winning the chip will perish.
This is quite the task and a very difficult challenge, but so far Nembhard and Nesmith have shown that they are ready.
Following: Magic Johnson reveals what Pacers did to limit Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
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