Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Sits with Strain
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed the game against Chicago Bulls due to abdominal strain management. The decision to rest SGA is considered precautionary workload management as OKC approaches the postseason, rather than a sign of major injury. His absence was notable given his role as the Thunder's primary playmaker and leading scorer this season.
This recent abdominal strain isn't new; it sidelined the reigning MVP for nine consecutive games last month. His return was brief, playing in just two games before the team opted to proactively manage the injury against Chicago. Gilgeous-Alexander is currently on a historic run, having scored at least 20 points in 123 consecutive games. This is the second-longest such streak in the history of the NBA, trailing only a 126-game streak by Wilt Chamberlain. His value to the team is underscored by his MVP-level season, where he ranks second in the league in scoring with an average of 31.8 points per game. During the 2023-24 season, the Thunder's record was a mere 2-5 in games he did not play. Even with their star player resting, the defending champion Thunder entered the night with the best record in the NBA at 47-15 and a recent record of winning five of their last six games. The decision to sit Gilgeous-Alexander comes on the front end of a back-to-back set of games, with a matchup against the New York Knicks looming the following night.
