The Oklahoma City Thunder may not be chasing the Golden State Warriors' legendary regular-season wins record, but make no mistake, they’re still the team everyone has their eyes on. The reason?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, whose brilliance continues to light up the court. Despite his undeniable talent and potential for a back-to-back MVP win, Shai's game sometimes flies under the radar.
Some fans label him a "free-throw merchant," but Shai takes it all in stride. His playful side was on display when he jokingly mimicked shooting free throws after a lighthearted exchange with Karl-Anthony Towns. It's clear Shai isn't fazed by outside chatter; his focus is squarely on bringing another championship to Oklahoma City.
The Thunder started the season with a bang, looking nearly unstoppable. However, injuries have taken a toll, and now it's Shai's turn to sit out with an abdominal strain.
Yet, the team isn’t overly concerned about his absence. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised Shai's resilience, saying, “He’s conditioned himself to handle the load.
That’s what great players do. He carries it without breaking a sweat… He’d rather be out there playing.”
Reports indicate Shai will miss about five games, but the expectation is he'll return post-All-Star Weekend. The Thunder, a small-market team on the rise, owe much of their recent success to Shai’s stellar performances. His return will be eagerly anticipated as OKC continues its quest for glory.