Shai out through All-Star break with abdominal strain
The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after the superstar was diagnosed with an abdominal strain, the team announced Wednesday.
He'll be re-evaluated after the All-Star break.
Gilgeous-Alexander sustained the injury during Tuesday's 128-92 win over the Orlando Magic. He only played 27 minutes in the game and exited for good with two minutes remaining in the third quarter when the Thunder were already ahead by 29 points.
The strain interrupts another stellar season for the 27-year-old, who has a good chance of defending his NBA MVP. Gilgeous-Alexander's averaging 31.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while posting a 55.4% field-goal percentage and shooting 39% from behind the arc.
He's also scored at least 20 points in 121 consecutive games, leaving him five shy of tying Wilt Chamberlain's NBA record. Gilgeous-Alexander extended the streak by scoring 23 against Orlando before the injury.
The Canadian will have to be replaced on Team World at this month's All-Star Game, where he'd been voted in as a starter.