標籤: Alexanders

OKLAHOMA CITY – With Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing in his first game since January, coach Mark Daigneault and his coaching staff came up with a plan to monitor the reigning MVP’s minutes. In a 127–121 win against the Denver Nuggets, the Thunder won in overtime without Gilgeous-Alexander. Still, the fact remains that Shai could only sit and watch from the bench after helping Oklahoma City erase a 16-point deficit.

However, Gilgeous-Alexander got closer to Daigneault’s 34-minute mark and the Thunder were set for the night. After scoring 36 points, nine assists, two blocks and two steals in his first game in 24 days, there was nothing else Gilgeous-Alexander could impact Friday’s overtime thriller.

“I hate it. Can’t wait for the minutes restriction to be over. But if I get this injury again, it won’t make a difference. So, that’s how I look at it.”

SGA on not playing in OT vs. Nuggets: “I hate it. Can’t wait for the minutes restriction to be over.

But if I repeat this injury it won’t make any difference. So, that’s how I see it.” pic.twitter.com/8RXYnlRfrM

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 28 February 2026

Thunder starting center Isaiah Hartenstein, returning from a calf injury, was on the same minutes restriction as Gilgeous-Alexander. Thunder All-Star Chet Holmgren, who finished with a career-high 21 rebounds, led the defending champions with Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams closing out the victory for Hartenstein. Alex Caruso also played in overtime.

Mark Daigneault on Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

In a game that featured a scuffle with Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic and resulted in the ejection of Thunder veteran Lou Dort, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault explained his decision to bench reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

“He’s coming off a 24-day injury. He’s coming back to play. One of the conditions to get him on the court tonight is to hold him to a certain point in terms of minutes,” Daigneault said. “We actually discussed that situation with both him and [Hartenstein] Before the game. Just so we can all be clear, in a non-emotional moment, that if we were in that situation, this is what we would do.

“We obviously did that. I understand it’s a little unconventional, but, at the end of the day, we’re trying to prioritize the health of our players as they come back from injury.”

The Thunder will travel to face the Mavericks on Sunday.