Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Clarifies Viral Comment About Isaiah Hartenstein

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander turned heads around the NBA world with his response to a question about Isaiah Hartenstein after Wednesday night’s Game 2 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

When asked about Hartenstein’s defensive impact guarding Victor Wembanyama, the back-to-back reigning NBA MVP had this to say:

“I’m not sure if it was good, to be honest.”

“It was alright. It was good,” SGA continued when asked for further clarification.

Unsurprisingly, Gilgeous-Alexander was asked about this bizarre postgame moment during his press conference at Paycom Center.

“I didn’t really hear her. And then once I realized what she said, I gave her the right answer. I heard it wrong what she said,” Gilgeous-Alexander explained.

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Hartenstein played just 12 minutes in the Thunder’s Game 1 double-overtime loss on Monday. The veteran center played 27 minutes in Game 2, recording 10 points and 13 rebounds while grabbing, pulling and pushing Wembanyama on each trip down the court.

"He's changed our dynamic since the first game he’s played. He's our physicality and our backbone. He's our bruiser, set screens, rebounds for us, physical,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of Hartenstein.

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The Western Conference Finals is now knotted up at one game apiece as the series heads to San Antonio for Game 3 and Game 4 at the Frost Bank Center.

Game 3 will tipoff at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday.

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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 7:56 AM.