Superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be sidelined for the Oklahoma City Thunder's upcoming home game against the Houston Rockets due to a right quadriceps contusion. The injury was initially sustained during a game against the Utah Jazz on March 20. Despite playing in the following three games, Gilgeous-Alexander's performance was below his usual standards, averaging 19.7 points on 44.2% shooting.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged Gilgeous-Alexander's physical condition, stating that the player is not at full health and the team is closely monitoring his status. In the most recent game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Gilgeous-Alexander visibly struggled at times but managed to score 24 points in 38 minutes of play.
So far this season, Gilgeous-Alexander has missed only one game and currently ranks third in the league for scoring, averaging an impressive 30.4 points per game with a shooting percentage of 54.0%. His stellar performance has been instrumental in leading the Thunder to a 50-21 record, placing them just half a game behind the Denver Nuggets in the race for the top spot in the Western Conference.
On the other side, the Houston Rockets are on a remarkable winning streak, having won their last nine games. With a record of 36-35, the Rockets are now within one game of the Golden State Warriors for the 10th spot in the Western Conference, which would secure them a place in the play-in tournament.
