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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Status Update: 3/7/25 vs. the Trail Blazers

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Status Update: 3/7/25 vs. the Trail Blazers

NBA News Rail

Updated:

By: Stan Son

UPDATE: Chet Holmgren will join Gilgeous-Alexander, Dort, Hartenstein, Wallace and J. Williams on the bench Friday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has missed only one game this season. That was back on January 17 due to wrist soreness. He will miss his second game on Friday.

This time, though, it’s strictly for rest purposes. And it’s a well-deserved one, as SGA has put up MVP-type numbers – 32.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.0 blocks and 2.1 treys, while shooting 52% from the field, 37% from downtown and 89% from the line. He’s led the Thunder to a 51-11 record, 11 games in front of the second-seed in the Western Conference.

It’s not just SGA sitting, as Lugentz Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, Cason Wallace and Jalen Williams have also been ruled out. Chet Holmgren is curiously designated as questionable, but it’s a high probability that he sits as well.

So, who plays?

Dillon Jones ($3,000) was the 2024 first-round pick for OKC and has played a total of 326 minutes this season. He has excellent size at 6-foot-5, 235 pounds and will likely get the start. He averages 0.75 FPTS per minute. Adam Flagler ($3,000) has played a total of 95 minutes on the season and averaged 0.65 FPTS per minute. He will likely back up Jones.

Isaiah Joe ($4,000) and Aaron Wiggins ($4,900) will likely start at shooting guard and small forward, with both carrying much of the offensive load on Friday. Joe averages 0.83 FPTS per minute and has three games over 30 FPTS this season. Wiggins averages 0.94 FPTS per minute and has six games over 30 FPTS, which include 44.75 and 66.5 FPTS performances.

Alex Caruso ($4,400) missed Wednesday’s game, but he’s available for Friday. Whether Caruso starts or comes off the bench, he probably won’t play more than 20 or so minutes. Caruso has only received over 25 minutes three times this season. The Thunder want to make sure he’s healthy for the playoffs.

Jaylin Williams ($4,300), Kenrich Williams ($3,400) and Branden Carlson ($3,000) will soak up the front-court minutes. I guess there’s a chance that Holmgren does play. J. Williams averages 1.08 FPTS per minute, K. Williams is at 0.9 while Carlson has put up 1.09.

With the Thunder sitting so many of their players, we should elevate all the Portland skill players since the matchup isn’t as daunting as before.

Stan Son
Stan joined DraftKings in December of 2020. It was a glorious time, except for that whole COVID thing, when we got Madden streams and boisterous bat flips from the KBO. I was brought on board to bring some West Coast flavor. I especially love hoops, and most of my content is in that arena. When I walk along the beach, strumming my guitar, the beat that I hear is not one of crashing waves. No, it is the beat of the ball bouncing off the hardwood with highs provided by the squeaks of the sneakers. Ball is life.
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