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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander clears health and safety protocols

By Rylan Stiles

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts after a three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on December 23, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Thunder 113-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts after a three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on December 23, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Thunder 113-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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He is back! The Oklahoma City Thunder star, the max contract point guard, the timeline, the future NBA All-Star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has cleared the NBA COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been hit hard by COVID-19, facing an outbreak over the last week as at different times Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Aleksej Pokusevski, Josh Giddey, Tre Mann, Darius Bazley, Derrick Favors, Aaron Wiggins, Mark Daigneault, and Dave Bliss have all entered Health and Safety Protocols. Now, only Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Darius Bazley, and Tre Mann remain in the protocols on the player side, with head coach Mark Daigneault missing Monday’s practice, suggesting he is still in the protocols.

The different return dates for players remain puzzling, especially when we know each player on the roster has been vaccinated according to the team’s general manager, Sam Presti, during his preseason media day session. Of course, a lot can factor in, we do not know who is and is not vaccinated, we do not know who has symptoms and does not, and of course, some players like Wiggins received a false positive.

So, there is no point for me, a media member and not a doctor, to speculate on when each player will return. I just roll with the information the team and league give us. Today after practice, Mike Wilks told the media that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander cleared the health and safety protocols and participated in practice this afternoon. Wilks gave no further update on the players still in the protocols (Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Darius Bazley, and Tre Mann).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returns to the hardwood Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves after missing just one (historic) game as Josh Giddey sets a new triple-double record.

Mike Wilks, the acting head coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder, also updated the status of Lu Dort. The defensive star that missed yesterday’s game with a sore knee, did not participate much in today’s practice and will be reassessed tomorrow. His status for Wednesday against Minnesota is still up in the air.

Josh Giddey breaks triple-double record. dark. Next

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