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OKC Thunder to miss two key pieces in Preseason opener

By Rylan Stiles

Apr 2, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) walks down the court during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center. Phoenix won 128-118. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) walks down the court during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center. Phoenix won 128-118. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports /
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This is the most anticipated season of OKC Thunder basketball since 2017, and it begins tomorrow against the San Antonio Spurs in their preseason opener against highly touted prospect Victor Wembanyama, who is presumably going to make his NBA debut.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will see their 2nd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Chet Holmgren, make his NBA debut tomorrow after missing all of last season with a Lisfranc fracture. Cason Wallace and Keyontae Johnson are also set to debut tomorrow. However, the OKC Thunder will miss a few key pieces in tomorrow’s matchup.

OKC Thunder set to miss key pieces, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Vasilije Micic, in Preseason opener against the San Antonio Spurs

We already knew the Thunder would be without Aleksej Pokusevski for tomorrow’s tilt, as he suffered an ankle sprain a week before training camp that will sideline him for six to eight weeks. However, on Sunday, we learned from head coach Mark Daigneault the OKC Thunder will also miss Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Vasilije Micic.


Vasilije Micic is a two-time EuroLeague MVP who has flirted with the OKC Thunder before eventually signing with them this offseason. Fans have been eager to see his NBA leap, but that will have to wait for at least another game.

Mark Daigneault told us at the end of training camp on Sunday that Vasilije Micic suffered an ankle sprain and is considered day-to-day. However, when I asked Mark Daigneault on Friday if everyone was tracking to play, he confirmed that the team was on pace to be healthy sans Aleksej Pokusevski.

With that information, I assume this injury to Micic occurred on Saturday in possible extra work on an off-day or Sunday during day five of Thunder’s training camp. Either way, Micic is shelved for tomorrow’s contest and is regarded as Day-to-Day. The OKC Thunder will play their second preseason game on Thursday, October 12th, against the Detroit Pistons in Montreal.

Canadian star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will miss tomorrow’s tilt with the Spurs due to rest, presumably to manage his load during the preseason and allow him to play in his home country on Thursday.

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