Jaden McDaniels explains why he used to be pressured to take flagrant foul on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: “Wasn’t even mad”

Jaden McDaniels is on the focal point owing to his movements in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, stirring controversy. McDaniels enraged the OKC Thunder fanbase through maliciously shoving Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Thursday, sending the famous person guard to the bottom.

The incident took place mid-way into the overall length and used to be a very easy determination for officers to evaluate it as a flagrant foul. Amid the backlash, Jaden McDaniels claimed that his transfer wasn’t out of frustration however reasonably a strategic use of his final fouls.

“I just wanted to foul him for real. I wasn’t even mad I just had fouls to use,” McDaniels mentioned all over the postgame press convention.

That mentioned, it used to be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who in the long run had the ultimate giggle. The newly topped MVP delivered a dominant efficiency, striking up 38 issues, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals. His day trip propelled the Thunder to a commanding 118-103 win, giving Oklahoma City a 2-0 lead within the Western Conference finals.

Jaden McDaniels expresses self belief in Timberwolves in spite of trailing 2-0

While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and co. have the higher hand, the fight between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the OKC Thunder is a long way from over. Despite trailing 2-0, Jaden McDaniels stays constructive in regards to the Wolves’ possibilities, assured {that a} turnaround is imaginable if the workforce adopts a extra assertive taste of play.

“I’ll say it’s just poor shooting nights. They’re kinda short closing a little bit, so we just gotta not think twice, and let it fly really. Be confident in what we can do,” Jaden McDaniels mentioned after Game 2’s loss (timestamp 0:35 onwards). “We gotta be desperate like every possession matters. Like every game, everything matters… Just gotta play smarter than what we are.”

Minnesota’s offensive struggles had been glaring throughout the first two video games of the WCF. The workforce is capturing simply 38.2% from the sector—neatly beneath their 45.1% box function proportion reasonable from the 2025 playoffs.

Additionally, a number of key avid gamers have observed a dip in efficiency. Starters like Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Mike Conley have all publish decrease numbers on this collection in comparison to their manufacturing within the earlier two rounds, taking part in an important position within the Wolves’ early deficit.

Game 3 on Saturday is a the most important conflict second for Minnesota, a must-win fight. A possible loss will lead to Anthony Edwards and co. going 3-0 down within the collection, just about finishing their possibilities to contend for the championship.