Tim MacMahon
Multiple Authors
Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been cleared to return after missing the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder’s past nine games because of an abdominal strain.
Gilgeous-Alexander is not on the official injury report released Thursday evening, meaning he will be available for Friday’s home game against the Denver Nuggets.
The Thunder went 5-4 in the stretch missed by Gilgeous-Alexander, who suffered the injury during a Feb. 3 win over the Orlando Magic. Oklahoma City’s lead at the top of the Western Conference standings has been trimmed to two games over the San Antonio Spurs, who have won 10 straight games and own the season tiebreaker between the teams.
Oklahoma City has also been missing All-NBA wing Jalen Williams and key reserve guard Ajay Mitchell.
Williams, who returned for two games before the All-Star break before aggravating his right hamstring strain, is scheduled to be re-evaluated in approximately one week.
Mitchell has been out since he suffered an abdominal strain Jan. 21. He was on track to return after the All-Star break before spraining his ankle in a workout.
Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He is the MVP favorite again with -125 odds to win the award, according to Draft Kings.
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