Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Sidelined For Start Of Camp

Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will miss the start of training camp with a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee, the team announced.

Gilgeous-Alexander will be re-evaluated in two weeks, per the team. The Thunder open training camp next week and play their first preseason game in 12 days.

Gilgeous-Alexander, 24, is 6-foot-6 and among the Thunder’s greatest reasons for a bright future. Last season, he averaged a career-high 24.5 points to go with 5.9 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 57 games.

That said, he has missed 63 games with injuries over the previous two seasons. 

“Given that the Thunder have been firmly in rebuilding mode since 2020, it’s fair to wonder if the team is being overly cautious when it comes to Gilgeous-Alexander’s injuries and whether he would’ve played in more than 91 games over the last two seasons if the club was vying for a playoff spot,” wrote Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors.

No. 2 overall draft pick Chet Holmgren will miss the season after suffering a foot injury in a Seattle pro-am game this summer.