Shai Gilgeous-Alexander receives concerning injury news ahead of showdown against Kevin Durant and the Suns.
The ascent of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference has emerged as a prominent narrative of the 2023-24 NBA season. With aspirations for securing the top seed in the West for the playoffs, the Thunder, spearheaded by MVP contender Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, have garnered significant attention. However, there’s a possibility that the Thunder may have to navigate a stretch without Gilgeous-Alexander due to injury concerns.
Gilgeous-Alexander sustained a quad injury earlier this month, and although he managed to play through it for a period, he was sidelined during the Thunder’s recent defeat against the surging Houston Rockets. With a pivotal matchup against the Phoenix Suns looming, Gilgeous-Alexander is currently listed as doubtful according to the team’s injury report. Fans anxiously await updates, hoping the injury isn’t severe, especially considering the Thunder’s tight playoff seeding race in the West.
Last season marked a remarkable turnaround for the Thunder, guided by Gilgeous-Alexander, as they advanced to the play-in tournament. While they narrowly missed the playoffs officially, it marked a significant achievement for a team previously considered a lottery contender. This season, the Thunder not only anticipate making the playoffs but also contend for the top spot in the Western Conference. Following their recent loss to the Rockets, the Thunder stand at a 50-22 record, securing the third spot in the West standings.
Despite sharing identical records with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Wolves currently hold the tiebreaker. Both teams trail the Denver Nuggets by just half a game for the top seed. Meanwhile, the Nuggets suffered a defeat to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, adding more intrigue to the playoff picture.
With the Suns striving to secure a direct playoff berth and move out of the play-in scenario, Friday’s clash holds significant implications for the Thunder. Falling behind the Nuggets and the Wolves in the standings is not an option, yet the Suns are poised to present a formidable challenge.
