NBA fans accuse Thunder star of repeatedly flopping vs. Lakers in Game 1

During the first game of the Western Conference semifinals, some fans were upset at how Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played.

Despite the 18-point victory by the Thunder against the Lakers, the 2025 NBA Finals MVP failed to score 20 points for the first time this season or postseason. He served as more of a facilitator, dishing 6 assists as Chet Holmgren led Oklahoma City with 24 points.

However, the points that he scored were a source of controversy among some basketball fans. While this is nothing new, fans accused Gilgeous-Alexander of "flopping" for fouls whenever he was on offense.

Call me old fashioned, but I think the soon to be 2x MVP should drive to the basket with the intent to score instead of driving to the basket with the intent to trick the ref.— nick wright (@getnickwright) May 6, 2026

SGA is so bad for the league. Absolutely embarrassing pic.twitter.com/mniWF6Darb— NBA Shane (@Shane00) May 6, 2026

SGA is flopping on EVERY PLAY 😭 pic.twitter.com/nwdhzyKwCW— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) May 6, 2026

As long as the refs call fouls like this, SGA will never stop flopping 😵 pic.twitter.com/WUuTQGT5wX— Covers (@Covers) May 6, 2026

Shai flops, kicks Kennard, gets free-throws for it 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/yw5oaUHTLR— HeroOfTheDay (@Hero_OfThe_Day) May 6, 2026

SGA’s flopping is SHAMELESS 💀😭 pic.twitter.com/GjEDPopLTb— Covers (@Covers) May 6, 2026

We'll see if Gilgeous-Alexander changes the way he plays or if the referees change the way they use their whistles for the remainder of the series.

But considering this is a pattern of behavior, neither scenario ought to be considered particularly likely.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: SGA flopping: Fans mad at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for how he got points