Thunder Injury Report: Will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams Play Tonight vs the Celtics?

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been on a dominant run for the ongoing season. Currently posting a win-loss record of 52-23, the roster has persistently remained afloat in the top seeds throughout the campaign. However, now as the team looks to continue the momentum heading against the Boston Celtics, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the squad.

The Thunders’ star point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and small forward Jalen Williams both remain listed as ‘out’ for the upcoming game. The two previously missed the game against the Philadelphia 76ers when the team recorded a 109-105 loss. Owing to quad contusion and ankle sprain respectively, Shai and Williams carry challenging situation for the Thunders ahead.

Uncertainty Looms Over Thunder’s Roster

In a recent update on X by Celtics reporter John Karalis, the Thunders confirmed that both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams will be sitting out the Clash against the top-seeded team. It was the former, whose go-ahead jump from the corner with 2.6 seconds left against Kincks helped the team into the playoffs. Now as the team will look to come back on their third away game he remains ‘out’.

Gilgeous-Alexander suffered a quad bruise during the Thunders’ clash against Utah late last month. The instance obliged him to be sidelined for 2 games. Aside from his absence, the 25-year-old has been an unstoppable force in offense this season. He has showcased his defensive versatility averaging 30.3 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game this season. In his absence, the Thunders have recorded 1-2. However, the team will want to rest their shooting guard as they head to their assured spot in the playoffs.

As for Jalen Williams, the young forward suffered a knee injury mid-Feb before incurring an ankle sprain last month. In the 8 games he has missed since the beginning of the year, the Thunders have lost three. Nonetheless, the small forward has managed to average 19.5 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.0 rebounds in 67 games. With that, the team might once again look to rest their forward, fit, and well in time for the playoffs.

Predicted lineups: Celtics vs Thunder

Leading the Eastern Conference, Celtics have won 59 matches out of 75 this season; 8 of which came in the last 10. The Celtics have scored an average of 120.9 points per game this season which is 2nd overall in the league while conceding an average of 109.4 points per game. Now as they battle for dominance, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porziņģis are projected to shine while Jaylen Brown and Jaden Springer remain questionable.

The Thunders on the other hand are seeded third in the Western Conference, winning 7 of their last 10 games. The team enters the arena as underdogs, however, Lu Dort, Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams, Josh Giddey, and Aaron Wiggins’ possible lineup will look to defy the common notion. The team currently averages 120.2 points per game, conceding an average of 113.0. The game promises to be a matchup between young guns and experienced players.

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