OKC Thunder Must Play 'As a Group' With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Out

Superstar guard sidelined through NBA All-Star break with abdominal strain

Feb. 5, 2026 at 4:23pm

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The NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder will have to rely on a team effort to stay afloat while star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is sidelined for the next several games due to an abdominal strain. Head coach Mark Daigneault said the team is used to playing without Gilgeous-Alexander for stretches, but his extended absence will require a collective effort from the roster.

Why it matters

Gilgeous-Alexander is the frontrunner for his second straight NBA MVP award, averaging over 31 points per game. His absence will be a significant challenge for the Thunder, who have the league's best record but are also dealing with injuries to several other key players.

The details

Gilgeous-Alexander sustained the abdominal injury during the Thunder's home win over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. He will be out through the NBA All-Star break, which includes three games against teams with winning records. The Thunder have other injured players like Ajay Mitchell, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort, and Alex Caruso, but they are hopeful to get some of them back soon. The team also recently acquired sharpshooting guard Jared McCain in a trade with the 76ers, who could provide an offensive boost when he makes his debut.

  • Gilgeous-Alexander sustained the injury during the Thunder's home win over Orlando on Tuesday.
  • Gilgeous-Alexander will be out through the NBA All-Star break.

The players

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Thunder's superstar guard and frontrunner for his second straight NBA MVP award, averaging over 31 points per game.

Mark Daigneault

The head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Ajay Mitchell

A Thunder player who was enjoying a breakout campaign before sustaining an abdominal strain that has sidelined him for the last seven games.

Chet Holmgren

A Thunder player who has been sidelined with low back spasms.

Jared McCain

A sharpshooting sophomore guard acquired by the Thunder in a trade with the 76ers, who could provide an offensive spark when he makes his debut.

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What they’re saying

“He's certainly a high-usage, high-impact player for us. We've got to do it as a group and collectively, which is what we do when he's on the bench and he's not on the court. He doesn't play 48 minutes a game, so it's not like we're not used to that. It's just that it's going to be for a more extended period of time than a stretch of the game right now.”

— Mark Daigneault, Thunder head coach (The Oklahoman)

What’s next

The Thunder have four games between now and the NBA All-Star break, three of which are against teams with a winning record. The team will need to find a way to stay afloat without their superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is sidelined with an abdominal strain.

The takeaway

The Thunder's depth and ability to play as a cohesive unit will be tested in Gilgeous-Alexander's absence, but the team has shown it can win games without its star player. If the Thunder can weather this storm and stay near the top of the standings, they will be well-positioned for a deep playoff run when Gilgeous-Alexander returns.