Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is one of the most explosive players in the NBA and the league’s reigning MVP.

But that doesn’t mean he is unstoppable.

In fact, at times during the current NBA Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander has looked all too human.

According to Evan Sidery, Gilgeous-Alexander is shooting just 35.3 percent in the Finals when guarded by either Andrew Nembhard or Aaron Nesmith.

When Nembhard is on him, Gilgeous-Alexander is shooting 7-of-20, or 35 percent, with five turnovers.

And when it’s Nesmith blocking, Gilgeous-Alexander is shooting 5-of-14, or 35.7 percent, with two turnovers.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is shooting 35.3% in the NBA Finals when guarded by Andrew Nembhard or Aaron Nesmith:

Nembhard: 7-for-20 (35%) + 5 turnovers
Nesmith: 5-for-14 (35.7%) + 2 turnovers

Indiana’s top two defenders are making it very tough on SGA. pic.twitter.com/m0fsBicZAB

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 12, 2025

These two Indiana Pacers players have been getting a lot of attention lately, mostly because of how suffocating their defense has been.

They have been electric in many ways, from their speed to their energy, but it is the defense that has been doing the most work.

Gilgeous-Alexander is a sensational shooter, and he can find multiple ways to score.

He’s great with his own shots, with assists, and with drawing fouls.

He has still made quite an impact on this series, but it would have been a lot larger if it weren’t for Nembhard and Nesmith.

Now, the question is if these two can keep it up for the rest of the Finals.

The Thunder will, of course, keep relying on Gilgeous-Alexander as much as they can, and if Nembhard and Nesmith continue to push hard on him, their chances of winning the chip will go down.

This is quite the task and a very difficult challenge, but so far, Nembhard and Nesmith have shown they are up for it.

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