Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP campaign has been put on hold due to a quad injury.
The Thunder star is enjoying a breakout season, leading Oklahoma City to contention for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. He has emerged as one of the NBA's brightest stars with averages of 30.3 points, 6.3 assists, 5.5 rebounds and a league-leading 2.1 steals per game.
Gilgeous-Alexander had been one of the most available players prior to the home stretch of the season, appearing in 70 of the Thunder's first 71 games before a quad injury forced him to miss some time.
How long will Gilgeous-Alexander be out of the lineup for Oklahoma City? The Sporting News has you covered with the latest updates below.
MORE: Don't discount the Thunder as title contenders
What is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's injury?
Gilgeous-Alexander suffered a quad injury during OKC's win over Utah on March 20.
The Thunder star was driving to the basket when he banged into Jazz forward John Collins' knee, hitting the deck immediately.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said his quad got banged up in the Jazz game.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) March 28, 2024
Here’s a clip of the play:
(@RussFcb) pic.twitter.com/H7Rbxz9iHV
Gilgeous-Alexander finished that contest with a limp, still going for 31 points and seven assists in the win. He played in Oklahoma City's next three games before finally taking time off against the Rockets on March 27.
Since that absence, Gilgeous-Alexander has missed three of four games. His lone appearance was at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks, where he played 35 minutes and hit a game-winning shot.
MORE: How did Joel Embiid play in his return from injury?
How long is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out?
Gilgeous-Alexander has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Celtics.
The star guard first popped up on the Thunder's injury report on March 27 with a right quad contusion.
“He’s banged up, for sure," OKC head coach Mark Daignault said on March 26, the day before Gilgeous-Alexander missed his second game of the season. "He’s not 100 percent. We’re monitoring it, but he’s certainly not a hundred percent."
The Thunder will have to try and balance preserving Gilgeous-Alexander for the playoffs while still fighting for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
As of April 3, Oklahoma City is tied with the Timberwolves for second place in the West, both a half-game back from the Nuggets in first.
Thunder remaining schedule 2024
The Thunder only have seven games remaining in the 2023-24 NBA season. You can find their remaining schedule below.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
| April 3 | at Celtics | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| April 5 | at Pacers | 7 p.m. | — |
| April 7 | at Hornets | 6 p.m. | — |
| April 9 | vs. Kings | 8 p.m. | — |
| April 10 | vs. Spurs | 8 p.m. | — |
| April 12 | vs. Bucks | 8 p.m. | — |
| April 14 | vs. Mavericks | 3:30 p.m. | — |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stats
- 30.3 points per game
- 6.3 assists per game
- 5.5 rebounds per game
- 2.1 steals per game*
- 0.9 blocks per game
- 2.2 turnovers per game
- 53.9 field goal percentage
- 36.5 3-point percentage
- 87.2 free throw percentage
* Leads NBA
