Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plays it cool about OKC's back-to-back hopes

Apr 8, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) heads down the sideline after a three-point basket in the first half against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Only a couple of days remain until the Oklahoma City Thunder start their 2026 NBA playoff journey. If they hope to go back-to-back, the first of four opponents will be against either the Phoenix Suns or the Golden State Warriors.

It's another play-in tournament week where the Thunder wait around to figure out their next opponent. It's the rare downside to getting the first seed. But at this point, OKC should be used to this routine with its third straight year as the West's No. 1 seed.

Going back-to-back would put Shai Gilgeous-Alexander into some all-time conversations. Already one of the NBA's faces of the 2020s, he could pencil his name next to guys like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant with another repeat of last year's achievement — if he's not there already.

Despite what's at stake, Gilgeous-Alexander is playing it cool about the appeal of another championship ring. He knows we're still a ways away from now and reaching that point. The next couple of months will take years off most folks' lives just from the pure stress.