When Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Coming Back for the Oklahoma City Thunder?

The Oklahoma City Thunder could be entering tank mode before the 2022-23 season even starts.

OKC already lost No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren for the season due to a Lisfranc injury in his foot, and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has yet to appear this preseason as he deals with a MCL sprain in his knee.

Gilgeous-Alexander is far and away Oklahoma City's best player, so losing him for an extended stretch would really take the Thunder out of any play-in tournament conversation (if there is any).

SGA missed 26 games last season with injuries, so do the Thunder play things safe with their star guard ahead of the season opener? Here's the latest injury update:

Latest Injury Update for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Thunder haven't provided much on when SGA is expected to return to the lineup, but he apparently has progressed through camp, which could put him on track to return early in the 2022-23 season.

“The timetable on Shai is still undetermined,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said recently. “We just can’t pinpoint … but he’s progressing and we’ll let you know.”

A positive sign for Thunder fans is that Gilgeous-Alexander has been working out on the court pregame befor OKC's preseason games.

Last season, Gilgeous-Alexander put up All-Star caliber numbers, averaging 24.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game while shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 30.0 percent from 3-point range.

The Thunder have struggled in recent seasons, going 24-58 in the 2021-22 campaign. They were 16-40 with SGA in the lineup and 8-18 without him.

OKC is projected to win 22.5 games this season, and the UNDER may be the play if SGA misses significant time to start the season, although this latest update makes it seem like he will return soon.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.