SGA is even trying to play to the refs in the court of law.
The NBA’s reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has sent a legal warning to a fantasy sports company that made a board game mocking the Oklahoma City guard’s notorious flops.
The Thunder star’s lawyers demanded that Underdog Sports stop using SGA’s name and likeness after it created a game called “Unethical Hoops” based on the kids’ classic Operation — in which a buzzer goes off anytime SGA is touched, the Athletic reported.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been criticized for drawing fouls this postseason. AP Photo/Julio CortezUnderdog Sports recently held a contest giving away 100 copies of the game during the Western Conference Finals — where the Thunder are one game away from eliminating the San Antonio Spurs and facing the Knicks in the finals.
Phoenix Suns forward and NBA villain Dillon Brooks promoted the game in the contest advertisements.
SGA’s lawyers told the company to “permanently cease and desist from any and all use of Mr. Gilgeous-Alexander’s [name, image and likeness] in any and all media, including but not limited to your website (including the Unethical Hoops Website), apps, social media accounts, digital marketing and advertisements, promotional emails, push notifications, affiliate or influencer placements, and any physical goods including but not limited to the board game advertised on the Unethical Hoops Website.”
All board games must be destroyed, according to the letter from SGA’s reps, ArentFox Schiff LLP — who may or may not have heard of the Streisand Effect.
The game website was still live Thursday and Underdog told The Post it has no intention of ending the promotion, citing previous instances of cracking jokes about other players and teams, including the Knicks and Mets.
“We’ve poked fun at Knicks and Lakers fans, the Red Sox owners, the Mets and more,” a spokesperson told The Post in a statement.
“We like to have some fun with whatever is in the sports fan zeitgeist.”
Underdog Sports is giving away 100 copies of its “Unethical Hoops” game. UnderdogWhen the Mets went on a 10-game losing skid last month after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani hugged Mr. Met, Underdog offered $1,000 for a lucky fans’ rent payment every day the team went without a win.
Underdog also hosted an event outside Madison Square Garden in April that allowed fans to throw eggs at a comedian decked out in Atlanta Hawks gear.
SGA been widely mocked during the NBA playoffs for his ability to draw fouls and get to the free throw line — with fans accusing him of flopping and questioning his style of play and whether or not it’s “ethical” basketball.
In the last four years, he has attempted 391 more free throws than the next-closest player, according to the Athletic.
In this postseason SGA has made 120 free throws and 114 field goals.
SGA, who won the league’s Most Valuable Player award this year and last year, shrugged off the criticism.
“It does nothing,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after game against the Spurs.
“Doesn’t fuel me, doesn’t discourage me. It’s part of the game. I’ve been dealing with it a long time. I don’t really hear it. I’m focused on what’s going on on the court.”






