To say that the Oklahoma City Thunder’s season has been defined by injuries is a first‑class truism, but today there is no choice but to bring it to the forefront. Why? Because Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s team has strung together three consecutive losses in regular season for the first time in more than two years.
Just as it sounds. The defeat on the Clippers’ floor, combined with the two previous losses to the Blazers, has OKC tasting defeat like never before, since you have to go back to early April 2024 to find anything similar.
Back then, a Thunder that was already a very good team lost between April 3 and 6 on the Sixers, Celtics, and Pacers. Put more plainly, in three seasons it has happened only once up to that start of the 2026-27 season.
In any case, nothing can be laid at their door. They sit at 8-5 despite losing Jalen Williams probably for the entire season, and having seen their other pillar, Chet Holmgren, also suffer an injury that could keep him out for more than two months.
Facing such a scenario, they must row and endure while waiting for reinforcements. Obviously this is not a year to dominate as in the two earlier seasons, but precisely that makes it all the more interesting to see how they defend themselves.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, at a high level
If victories come at a slower pace, it won’t be due to the absence of the current NBA MVP—he has two in a row. Last night he pushed his scoring to 40 points against the Los Angeles Clippers and is averaging 29.7. His numbers are good, but it’s clear that he lacks the company around him.
Shai had four seasons shooting over 50 percent from the field—a genuine feat for a guard; however, in 2026-27 he is presently at 45.3 percent. It goes without saying that defenses are far more focused on him.
