Thunder Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Sidelined with Abdominal Strain Until After All-Star Break
The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Wednesday that their reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will be out of action until after the All-Star break due to an abdominal strain. This injury, sustained during the Thunder's 128-92 victory over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night, forces the Canadian guard to sit out the All-Star games scheduled for February 15. Commissioner Adam Silver will select his replacement for the prestigious event.
Immediate Impact on Team and Personal Streaks
Gilgeous-Alexander's absence is a significant setback for the defending NBA champion Thunder, who currently lead the league with an impressive 40-11 record. As the league's No. 2 scorer, averaging 31.8 points per game, his offensive prowess is crucial to the team's success. Notably, he has been on a remarkable streak of 121 consecutive games with at least 20 points scored, which is the second-longest such streak in NBA history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain's record of 126 straight games.
In the game against the Magic, Gilgeous-Alexander barely maintained this streak by scoring exactly 20 points before being sidelined in the fourth quarter. Beyond scoring, he is enjoying perhaps his best all-around season, ranking among the league leaders in field-goal percentage at 55.4% (14th overall) and in assists with 6.4 per contest (15th overall).
Team's Injury Woes Deepen
This injury adds to a growing list of health issues for the Thunder. In the same win over Orlando, the team was already without key players Jalen Williams, who missed his eighth consecutive game due to a hamstring injury, and Ajay Mitchell, who sat out his sixth straight game with an abdominal strain. Williams was an All-Star in 2025, while Mitchell has been recognized as one of the league's most improved players in his second year.
For Wednesday night's showdown with the San Antonio Spurs, the Thunder are facing further challenges. In addition to Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Mitchell being out, the injury report lists several other important players as unavailable:
- All-Star Chet Holmgren is out with lower back spasms.
- Starting guard Lu Dort is sidelined due to knee inflammation.
- Starting center Isaiah Hartenstein is out with an eye abrasion, despite just returning from injury and achieving his first career triple-double on Tuesday night.
- Reserve Alex Caruso is out with a right adductor injury.
The team has stated that Gilgeous-Alexander will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break, leaving fans and analysts eagerly awaiting updates on his recovery timeline. This series of injuries tests the Thunder's depth and resilience as they navigate a critical part of the season.
