Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Sidelined With Abdominal Injury
Just when it looked like the Oklahoma City Thunder were operating on a completely different frequency than the rest of the league, the basketball gods decided to remind us that they have a pretty twisted sense of humor.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP and the engine behind OKC’s title defense, is officially out indefinitely with an abdominal strain. If you heard a collective groan coming from the Midwest on Wednesday afternoon, that was the entire state of Oklahoma realizing its invincible season just hit a very human speed bump.
According to the reports out of OKC, Gilgeous-Alexander will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break. For a team sitting pretty at 40-11, this isn’t a death sentence, but it’s certainly the kind of news that makes you worried.
The Injury Timeline and “The Streak”
During Tuesday’s blowout win against the Orlando Magic, Gilgeous-Alexander looked like himself. He played 28 minutes, dropped 20 points, and dished out 9 assists. But here is the kicker: He gutted it out to keep history alive.
Gilgeous-Alexander extended his streak of consecutive 20-point games to 121. He is now agonizingly close to Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 126. He literally waited until there were two minutes left in the fourth quarter to hit a free throw to notch point number 20. You have to respect keeping a streak alive while playing hurt. That is the kind of stubborn greatness you want in a franchise player.
However, abdominal strains are tricky beasts. They aren’t like a sprained ankle, where you tape it up and grit your teeth. You use your core for everything. If he comes back too early, this is the type of nagging issue that lingers into June. The Thunder are smart to put him on the shelf until late February.
No SGA, No J-Dub, No Problem?
The timing, admittedly, is terrible. It’s not just Gilgeous-Alexander hitting the injury report. The Thunder are currently navigating life without star Forward Jalen Williams, who is dealing with a hamstring issue.
So, for those keeping score at home, the defending champs are currently down their two best offensive weapons. This puts a massive spotlight on the supporting cast. We are about to find out exactly what this team is made of. The “next man up” mentality is a cute cliché coaches love to use during press conferences, but it’s terrifying when the “next man” has to replace 31.8 points per game.
Expect Chet Holmgren to take on a massive usage rate over these next five or so games. We’re also going to see if the bench mob can hold the fort against a schedule that includes the Spurs, Rockets, and Bucks before the break.
The Jared McCain Variable
In true Sam Presti fashion, the front office didn’t just sit around and wait for the medical report. While the Gilgeous-Alexander news was brewing, OKC swung a trade for Sixers Guard Jared McCain.
McCain isn’t going to be Gilgeous-Alexander, but the sharpshooter brings immediate spacing. Before he got hurt earlier this year, he was averaging over 15 points a game for Philly. If he can step in and knock down perimeter shots, it might stop opposing defenses from completely collapsing on Holmgren in the paint. It is a savvy move that suddenly looks like a lifeline.
Impact on the MVP Race
Gilgeous-Alexander was the heavy favorite to go back-to-back as league MVP. He’s putting up video game numbers: 31.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 55% shooting from the floor. Missing time hurts his case, but it might not kill it. If the Thunder can tread water and go .500 without him, and he comes back after the All-Star break scorching the earth, the narrative might actually shift in his favor.
For now, Thunder fans need to take a deep breath. You possess the best record in the NBA. You have a six-game cushion for the top seed. The goal isn’t to win a random Tuesday game in February; the goal is to be healthy when the confetti drops in June.
