It’s hard to imagine a scenario where an NBA player would have to play a game with one shoe and one hand. But if Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ever encounters such a situation, he’ll be prepared.
During Friday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, Gilgeous-Alexander went in for a layup. He made the layup but took a lot of contact, losing his shoe in the process. After briefly arguing that a foul should have been called, Gilgeous-Alexander picked up his shoe and ran down the floor to play defense.
With his shoe still in hand, a missed shot bounced Gilgeous-Alexander’s way. He turned his body around, moving the shoe from his right hand to his left in the process. Then, with his right hand, Gilgeous-Alexander secured the rebound, dribbled, then made a bounce pass to Luguentz Dort.
Eventually, play stopped, allowing Gilgeous-Alexander could put his other shoe back on.
SGA grabbed a rebound with a shoe in his hand 😭 pic.twitter.com/O3riq3C1du
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 1, 2023
While we’re used to seeing NBA stars make plays that require tremendous athleticism, timing and concentration, this isn’t something we see a lot of. As such, the NBA world was equal parts impressed and amused by the sequence.
SGA just grabbed a rebound with his left shoe in his hand.
All-NBA First Team kinda stuff.
— Boomtown Hoops (@BoomtownHoops) April 1, 2023
There is no way SGA just played with his shoe in his hand🤣🤣
What can’t he do?
— Hoops Complete (@HoopsComplete) April 1, 2023
SGA lost his shoe and proceeded to grab the defensive rebound with his shoe in his other hand like it was nothing 😭 pic.twitter.com/Cxk7QdVr7l
— Digits Hoops (🏀,📊) (@Digits3Hoops) April 1, 2023
SGA dribbling while holding his shoe gotta be one of the funniest sequences of the season lmao
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 1, 2023
For Gilgeous-Alexander, it’s good to know that he can do this. But for his sake, let’s hope he doesn’t have to do it again any time soon.
[NBA on ESPN] Photo Credit: Bally Sports Oklahoma
