The Oklahoma City Thunder are the reigning NBA champions, and at 45 wins and 15 losses are the best team in the NBA’s Western Conference. However at the moment, they are facing an influx of injuries. All top six of their players are currently hurt. With so many injuries, it is no wonder the Thunder were a 10.5 point underdog to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, a game the Pistons won 124-116, but did not cover the spread.
Let’s begin with NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Toronto, Canada, who is second in the NBA with 31.8 points per game. He has not played since February 3 due to an abdominal strain. Gilgeous-Alexander is one of three Canadians in the NBA sidelined with a notable injury. The others are Dillon Brooks of the Phoenix Suns (broken hand), and Shaedon Sharpe of the Portland Trail Blazers (broken leg).
Meanwhile, shooting guard Jalen Williams of Denver, Colorado is out with a hamstring injury, and will be re-evaluated in another week. He is averaging 17.5 points per game. Center Chet Holmgren of Minneapolis, Minnesota is experiencing a lower back spasm, after averaging 17.2 points per game his season; shooting guard Ajay Mitchell of Namur, Belgium (14.1 points per game) is currently dealing with multiple injuries (abdominal sprain and ankle sprain); shooting guard Isaiah Joe of Fort Smith, Arkansas (10.8 points per game) is out with a hip injury; and center Isaiah Hartenstein of Eugene, Oregon (10.7 points per game) is out with a calf injury and illness.
It should be noted that shooting guard Jared McCain of Sacramento, California is averaging 7.5 points per game during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers and Thunder. However, in his eight games with the Thunder, McCain is averaging 11.6 points per game, including 20 points on Wednesday night.
