OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing through a quad injury and is not 100 percent healthy

With a win vs. the Pelicans on Tuesday evening, the Thunder are actually 50-21 this season. That’s simply half a sport behind the Nuggets in first place. Oklahoma Metropolis has an essential 11 video games left to play within the common season. There’s nonetheless the chance for the group to earn the #1 seed within the Western Convention. 

After an exhilarating win vs. New Orleans, head coach Mike Diagneault reported that beginning PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is coping with a quad damage. He famous that the MVP candidate just isn’t one hundred pc wholesome proper now. Nonetheless, SGA is wholesome sufficient to play but it surely’s clear he hasn’t been as aggressive as we’ve seen up to now. The Thunder have the second sport of a back-to-back tonight vs. the Houston Rockets.

Will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander miss any time for the Thunder with a quad damage?

“Yeah, little banged up in my quad. Occurred within the Utah sport.”

– Shai Gilgeous-Alexander expands on what Mark Daigneault stated pic.twitter.com/eCpJnr2m3n

— Ross Lovelace (@Rosslovelace) March 27, 2024

Of their final 10 video games, the OKC Thunder are 8-2. Final Wednesday, All-NBA PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reportedly sustained a quad damage vs. the Jazz. It’s been bothering the 25-year-old however not sufficient for him to overlook any time. SGA has performed in 70 of their 71 video games this season. Because the quad damage final week, Gilgeous-Alexander’s manufacturing has dropped barely. He’s nonetheless discovering methods to assist the group win regardless of not being one hundred pc.

On the season, SGA is averaging (30.4) factors per sport. Over his final three video games after the quad damage, he’s averaging (19.7) factors per sport. Proof that his quad damage is limiting his offensive output to a level. Gilgeous-Alexander nonetheless scored 24 factors final evening in a win vs. the Pelicans. At this level within the season, the group is making an attempt to play it secure with SGA. They don’t need to danger him lacking any time within the postseason attributable to an damage that may be averted.

“He’s banged up, for certain. He’s not 100%. We’re monitoring it, however he’s definitely not one hundred percent. I’ll let him communicate on it.”

– Mark Daigneault on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

— Ross Lovelace (@Rosslovelace) March 27, 2024

The Thunder will monitor SGA carefully to make sure they’re taking the appropriate precautionary measures with their all-star PG. At his greatest, the previous first-round choose is a participant who can elevate the Thunder to contenders within the West. Final season the group completed 40-42 and there was rather a lot to construct on. In 2023, the group already has 50 wins and nonetheless has 11 video games left within the common season. It’s the franchise’s first 50-win season since 2015-16. Tonight, the Thunder are at dwelling to face the Houston Rockets who’ve gained 9 in a row.