Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to play in season opener vs Minnesota

The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to begin their 2022-23 NBA Regular Season on Wednesday, October 19th after wrapping up a 5-1 preseason slate. The OKC Thunder have gone through all of training camp and their six preseason games, with their star point guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The fifth-year guard has been nursing a grade 2 MCL sprain suffering just days before training camp.

After doing some one on zero work, going through pregame shooting drills, and now competing in practice as a full participant, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault announced that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is “on track” to play in the Thunder’s season opener, on the road in Minnesota against the new look Timberwolves.

The Oklahoma City Thunder held practice on Sunday, where head coach Mark Daigneault announced Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is “on track” to play in the team’s season opener

The OKC Thunder are nearing the start of their season on the heeling of a fantastic preseason slate that has a lot of the fanbase buzzing about the potential of this team. The Oklahoma City Thunder saw Josh Giddey, Tre Mann, Ousmane Dieng, Jalen Williams, and Lu Dort, all have fantastic showings before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander even steps onto the floor.

SGA, a rising star that could be in line for his first All-Star appearance if things break his way, adds a different element to this team. The Kentucky product is not only one of the best scorers for the Oklahoma City Thunder but one of the most prolific scorers at the rim in the entire NBA.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is entering his fifth year in the league, fourth in Bricktown, and is fresh off averaging 24 points, five rebounds, six assists, a steal, and nearly a block per game while shooting 45 percent from the floor. Two years ago, Gilgeous-Alexander shot 41 percent from distance. If SGA can bring his three-point mark even close to 41 percent again, his game will reach a new height.

While some fans might have conflicting feelings about winning this year due to the loaded 2023 NBA Draft, and Gilgeous-Alexander is worth more wins than a roster without him, the most important thing for Oklahoma City is getting their max contract point guard on the floor with Josh Giddey to iron out that pairing.

This adds even more excitement to the season opener on Wednesday in Minnesota as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey will face off with Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and try to finish at the rim against Rudy Gobert.