Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is back.
The Thunder superstar will return Friday night against the Nuggets, as he is not listed on the injury report, per Rylan Stiles of SI.com.
Gilgeous-Alexander has missed the past nine games with an abdominal strain suffered Feb. 3 against the Magic. In total, he has been sidelined for 11 contests.
Under league rules, he cannot exceed 17 absences and remain eligible for major postseason awards — not that anyone in Oklahoma City is counting that first.
They’re counting wins.
The reigning MVP and Finals MVP has somehow elevated his game again this season, averaging 31.8 points, 6.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds while shooting a blistering 55.4 percent from the field and nearly 39 percent from three.
His 67.0 true shooting percentage is a career high. So is his assist rate. His turnover rate? Career low.
In other words, peak efficiency.
The Thunder have managed a respectable 5-4 stretch without him despite additional injuries to Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Williams. But make no mistake, this is SGA’s team.
Oklahoma City sits at 45-15, holding a two-game edge over San Antonio for the West’s top seed.
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