The Oklahoma City Thunder faced a reality check on Thursday, as fans eagerly awaited Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's return from his abdominal strain. Unfortunately, they'll have to wait a bit longer.
Gilgeous-Alexander is set to miss at least four more games, with a re-evaluation scheduled in about a week. With Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell also sidelined, the Thunder are navigating a tough stretch against Eastern Conference contenders without a primary ball-handler.
This development adds an intriguing twist to the MVP race. Gilgeous-Alexander seemed poised to clinch the award for a second consecutive year, with some speculating a unanimous win.
However, his absence opens the door for other contenders to make their mark. Having played in 49 of OKC's 57 games, his upcoming absences will bring his missed games to 11, still comfortably within the 65-game eligibility rule for awards.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault emphasized the team's focus on player well-being over individual accolades. "I'm going to lay off the big picture thing.
There are so many other people who are thinking about these things a lot. I'm thinking about the Thunder.
I'm thinking about my kids. That's really what I'm thinking about," Daigneault shared.
"We're always going to prioritize the well-being of our players."
Despite the setback, Gilgeous-Alexander remains the favorite in the MVP race, though his margin for error has shrunk. Other top contenders like Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, and Luka Doncic are also dealing with their own challenges, making the race more unpredictable.
The timing of Gilgeous-Alexander's injury, coinciding with the NBA All-Star break, allowed him to rest without missing additional games. This could be a crucial factor in his quest for another MVP title.
Daigneault reiterated the importance of player availability, stating, "Guys understand the 65-game thing. Obviously, everybody is aware.
We want all of our players to qualify for that, not because of the awards, but because we want to prioritize availability."
As the Thunder navigate this challenging period, the focus remains on long-term health and success, both for the team and Gilgeous-Alexander's promising career.