Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets one of the weirdest one-handed rebounds you’ll ever see

How many highlight rebounds can you remember? It’s a rare occurrence, especially without a putback dunk to follow. Rebounds are rarely glamorous like dunks or creative like passes. They are just the result of a player being in the right position at the right time and performing a basic ability. Well, that’s mostly the case. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got a little more innovative in Friday’s game against the Indiana Pacers.

The sequence began with Gilgeous-Alexander doing what he does best: scoring a competitive layup. He lost his right shoe. However, the game was still in progress, so he didn’t have time to turn it back on. So Gilgeous-Alexander did what any desperate player would have done: grabbed the boot with his right hand and ran back into defence. By the time he made it back onto the court, Indiana guard Jordan Nwora had hoisted a 3-pointer. It clattered off the edge and straight into the open left hand of Gilgeous-Alexander, who was still holding his shoe with his right hand.

After the rebound, Gilgeous-Alexander passed to teammate Lu Dort. Eventually the ball found its way to Isaiah Joe, who was fouled for possession. The Thunder eventually walked away with a point.

It’s a lesson in effort. Gilgeous-Alexander could have given the Pacers an easy 4-for-5 while putting his shoe back on. Instead, he tried to keep playing. The result was a rebound that would have gone the other way had it not been for his presence, and an extra point in a tight game for his Thunder.