Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty ImagesShai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a dominant 119-84 victory over the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 last Sunday.The result was effectively secured early, allowing OKC to control the pace throughout.The Thunder star played just 29 minutes due to the comfortable margin, yet still finished as the game’s top scorer with 25 points. His efficiency ensured the hosts never lost control of the contest.Despite the convincing win and his scoring output, Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance sparked debate among fans. Attention quickly shifted from the result to how his points were accumulated.Fans criticise Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s free throw reliance against PhoenixPhoto by William Purnell/Getty ImagesGilgeous-Alexander’s trip to the free throw line became the focal point of discussion after the game.

Of his 25 points, 15 came from free throws, highlighting a recurring aspect of his playstyle.That tendency has divided opinion throughout recent seasons, and the reaction following the Suns game was particularly strong from those who disapprove of his approach.One fan wrote on X: “It’s a disgrace the best guard in basketball chooses to play like this. The league has to stop rewarding this or else the game will die.”Another added: “A terrible brand of basketball. It’s why he can’t be the face of the league.

You aren’t as excited to watch him play compared to the Stephs, Brons, Shaqs, Kobes, MJs, Birds and Magics. He plays a boring brand of basketball because he leans on flopping for fouls.”“He is not the best guard in the league, he has to play like that or he will just be a top 25 player instead of top 5,” read a third comment.Another reaction summed up the frustration: “25 points on 17 FT attempts is a disgusting stat line, big bro.”SGA explains reason behind frequent foulsGilgeous-Alexander addressed the high free throw volume by explaining his style of play after the game.During the post-match press conference, the MVP contender said: “When you drive the ball a lot, you get fouled a lot, just because most of the fouls happen on drives, and I drive the ball a lot, so that probably adds to it.“I just tried to get better at many aspects over the years I’ve been in the league, trying to be able to attack teams’ defences in multiple ways, and I feel like I’ve done so.”Read more:Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown achieve milestone only shared with NBA’s greatest duosIt’s not just Wembanyama: Spurs star mirrors Tony Parker vs Portland as stats confirmWembanyama does what no NBA player has done since 1997, also breaking Duncan’s record