A Warriors fan heckled Thunder star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander while he was signing autographs after Oklahoma City’s 124-112 win over Golden State at Chase Center on Tuesday night.
Warriors Fan Trolls Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, was called a “free throw merchant” by ESPN announcer Doris Burke during Game 1 of the Western Conference finals last season.
NBA fans across social media have continued using that tag to mock the three-time All-Star guard. It came after Gilgeous-Alexander had made a league-best 601 free throws on 669 attempts (89.8%) in 2024-25.
Following Oklahoma City’s victory against Golden State, a Warriors fan couldn’t help but poke fun of SGA for flopping “for more free throws” after finishing with 38 points and just seven free throws on 10 attempts (70%).
Warriors fan told SGA to stop flopping for free throws 😠pic.twitter.com/jn7hRDqOai
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) December 4, 2025
“Let’s flop for more free throws, baby. You can do it, dog,” the fan said. “You can break the free-throw record by flopping a little bit more. I want to see a black man win, but I don’t like flopping. You’re good enough to win the right way.”
Instead of lashing out at the fan, SGA ignored the spectator’s comments and responded with a smile. The fan’s words were understandable, as the Thunder (21-1) handed the Warriors (11-11) just their third home loss of the season.
Tuesday’s outing was also SGA’s third game of the season with at least 30 points and zero turnovers. He finished 13-of-21 (61.9%) shooting from the field and 5-of-6 (83.3%) from 3-point range.
SGA Leads NBA In Free Throws
Through 22 games (all starts) this season, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging career highs of 32.8 points and 6.5 assists to go with 4.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 33.6 minutes per contest.
He’s also shooting career bests of 54.8% from the floor and 43.4% from deep.
Per Basketball Reference, Gilgeous-Alexander currently leads the NBA in points (721), made field goals (238), made free throws (196), free throw attempts (223), and defensive win shares (1.6).
Last season, Gilgeous-Alexander joined an exclusive list of players to win the MVP and Finals MVP in the same season. The only others to accomplish that feat are Michael Jordan (four times), LeBron James (twice), Larry Bird (twice), Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Magic Johnson, Moses Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Willis Reed.
Gilgeous-Alexander also became the first player to win a scoring title and NBA championship in the same season since O’Neal in 2000. The only others to have done that are Jordan (six times), Abdul-Jabbar, George Mikan (twice), and Joe Fulks.
The Thunder host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, while the Warriors begin a three-game road trip on Thursday at the Philadelphia 76ers.
