Saying the Oklahoma City Thunder’s season has been defined by injuries is stating the obvious, but today it has to be brought front and centre. Why? Because Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s team has suffered three consecutive regular season defeats for the first time in more than two years.
You read that right. The loss on the Clippers’ floor, added to the two previous ones against the Blazers, means OKC have hit a low not seen in a long while, as you have to go back to early April 2024 to find anything similar.
Back then, a Thunder side that was already very good lost between 3 and 6 April on the floors of the Sixers, Celtics and Pacers. To put it more plainly, in three seasons it has only happened to them once before this start to 2026-27.
Even so, there is nothing to reproach them for. They are 8-5 despite losing Jalen Williams probably for the whole season, and seeing their other cornerstone, Chet Holmgren, also go down with an injury that could keep him out for more than two months.
Faced with this scenario, they have to battle on and survive while they wait for their players to return. Obviously this is not a year to dominate as in the previous two, but that is precisely what makes it even more interesting to see how they cope.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, playing at a high level
If the wins are coming more slowly, it won’t be down to the reigning NBA MVP going missing – he has won the last two. Overnight he scored as many as 40 points against the Los Angeles Clippers and is averaging 29.7. His numbers are good, but you can tell he is short of support.
Shai had spent four seasons shooting above 50 per cent from the field – an absolutely staggering figure for a guard – but in 2026-27 he is for now at 45.3 per cent. There is no need to explain that defences are far more focused on him.
(Photograph by IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
