Reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander explained he relishes adversity after his 40-point game propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder into the playoffs.

The Thunder beat the Orlando Magic 113-108, becoming the first team to clinch a playoff berth.

Gilgeous-Alexander extended his record run of successive games with at least 20 points to 129, while teammate Chet Holmgren chipped in with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

However, Gilgeous-Alexander gets the most out of games in which he has to work hard to make things click.

"I just love competition. I love adversity. I love when things don’t go my way. It gives me an opportunity to grow and get better," he said.

"It's easy to be super engaged when you’re making every shot and you're up 20 points.

"But when you're in the thick of things and they're not going your way, that's when you really find out about yourself. Those are the games when I learn the most. I relish those moments, appreciate those moments and use them for good.

"There's no feeling to it, for me. As long as I'm getting where I want to go, that's the feeling. The hits and misses will come and go. As long as I feel productive offensively, making the right plays, being positive on the floor, everything else will come and go, there'll be ups and downs in games. It's all about the process and how I'm getting to where I'm supposed to be."

Earned

Thunder clinches 13th playoff spot since 2010#ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/SWGBqWcs67

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 18, 2026

OKC, who sit top of the Western Conference, have now won nine straight games.

"We're super confident," Gilgeous-Alexander added.

"We've been able to win all types of games in the past couple of years. We don't ever get to a point where we're discouraged.

"We're super optimistic, we trust our instincts and habits that we've built over the years.

"Focusing on things before the ultimate goal will usually do you justice – you can't get there without them. You're getting better while you check those boxes.

"That's one thing the coach is very big on. The first meeting every year, he never says anything about the playoffs other than we have to earn a spot. That never changes. You've got to play what's in front of you to get to where you want to go."