Mussatto: Forget OKC Thunder's seeding. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's health all that matters.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s quad contusion is looking like a line of demarcation in the Thunder’s season.
In the 68 games pre SGA quad contusion, the Thunder went 48-20 with a 7.6 net rating. That net rating ranked second in the NBA behind the Celtics. In 10 games post quad contusion the Thunder has gone 5-5 with a -3.4 net rating, ranking 21st behind the Wizards and Spurs.
Small sample, but things haven’t been pretty in Thunderville since Gilgeous-Alexander bruised his leg March 20 in Salt Lake City.
Gilgeous-Alexander is set to play Tuesday night against the Kings, which is obviously encouraging for OKC. Because forget about seeding and which playoff matchups are most favorable. For the Thunder, the health of its superstar is the only concern in the next dozen days before the playoffs begin.
Gilgeous-Alexander has missed six of the Thunder’s 10 games since he suffered the quad contusion, but SGA wasn’t himself in the four games he did play during that stretch. He averaged 19.5 points per game on 44% shooting, far below his season-long marks of 30.3 points on 54% shooting.
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SGA hit a spectacular game-winner in New York, but otherwise had a subpar performance in Madison Square Garden. He hasn’t played in the four games since. Neither has Jalen Williams, who’s recovering from a sprained ankle. The Thunder went 1-3 in those games with its only win coming Sunday in Charlotte.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s injury doesn’t seem to be severe, but the Thunder has been cautious. Amid its recent road trip, the team sent SGA home to streamline his rehab process.
Gilgeous-Alexander wouldn't play Tuesday if he wasn't healthy, because what reason would there be to rush him back? His MVP chances have slipped away, and he’s already assured an All-NBA first-team selection. At 71 games played, his most since his rookie season, SGA has met the awards threshold.
There’s also no incentive for the Thunder to rush things. OKC is going to be a top-three seed, and the standings are too jumbled to hunt specific matchups.
The Thunder could face any one of the Mavericks, Suns, Pelicans, Kings, Lakers and Warriors in the first round.
Ultimately, the matchup won’t matter if SGA isn’t at his best.
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
Thunder vs. Kings
TIPOFF: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Paycom Center (Bally Sports Oklahoma)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's health outweighs Thunder's playoff matchup
