Crowd Chants "Free Throw Merchant!" at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander During Tense NBA Playoffs Game

Minnesota Timberwolves Fans Unleash "Free Throw Merchant" Chant on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander During Tense Playoff Game The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder clashed in a heated NBA playoff game on May 27th, 2025. A key moment in the game was captured on video, showing Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the free throw line. What made this moment particularly noteworthy was the loud and sustained chant from the Timberwolves' home crowd: "Free Throw Merchant!" The chant, clearly audible in the short video clip, reflects the intensity of the game and the pressure on the players. "It was intense," said one Timberwolves fan who was present at the game. "The atmosphere was electric, and the chant just shows how much the crowd was into it." The video, posted by ESPN on social media, quickly gained traction, highlighting the emotional impact of the moment. While the outcome of the game itself is not detailed in the video, the clip successfully captures a microcosm of the larger contest, showcasing the passion of the fans and the pressure on the players. The chant itself, though potentially controversial, underscores the captivating nature of professional sports and the power of the crowd's influence on the game.