Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Returns to Thunder After Abdominal Injury Recovery
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is set to make his much-anticipated return to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The star player has been cleared to play after missing nine games due to an abdominal strain. He is not listed on the injury report ahead of the Thunder’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Recovery Timeline
The 27-year-old point guard last played on February 3 during a win against the Orlando Magic. In that game, he left the court after nearly 28 minutes of action. Since his absence, the Thunder have managed a 5-4 record without him, and overall, they are 7-4 this season when he does not play.
Performance Highlights
- Current average points: 31.8 (2nd in the NBA)
- Rebounds per game: 4.4
- Assists per game: 6.4
- Steals per game: 1.3
- True shooting percentage: 67% (career-best)
To maintain eligibility for end-of-season awards, Gilgeous-Alexander can afford to miss only six more games. This performance is crucial as he is a frontrunner for the NBA’s MVP award. However, he is among several stars facing potential disqualification for not meeting the league’s minimum game requirement of 65 games.
Thunder’s Current Status
The Oklahoma City Thunder enters their next game with a remarkable 45-15 record, the best in the league. Despite injuries impacting their roster, the team continues to perform well. Notable players like Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell are currently sidelined and ruled out for the upcoming contest against the Nuggets.
Injury Report
- Jalen Williams (hamstring) – week-to-week
- Ajay Mitchell (abdomen) – week-to-week
- Chet Holmgren – day-to-day
- Alex Caruso – day-to-day
- Isaiah Hartenstein – day-to-day
- Isaiah Joe – day-to-day
The Thunder’s ability to maintain their strong record, despite roster challenges, signals a resilient team. As Gilgeous-Alexander returns, fans are eager to see how he will impact the remainder of the season.
