Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who missed the team’s entire six-game preseason schedule due to Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee, is on track to be available for the regular season opener on Wednesday in Minnesota, head coach Mark Daigneault told reporters on Sunday (Twitter link via Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman).
It’s good news for the Thunder and for Gilgeous-Alexander, who has missed significant time in each of the last two seasons because of injuries, including the last 10 games of 2021/22 due to a right ankle issue.
Luguentz Dort (left quad contusion) and Kenrich Williams (right groin strain) also should be available for the Thunder in the first game of the regular season, Daigneault said today (Twitter link via Mussatto).
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- With Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns sharing the court on the first time in Friday’s preseason finale, the Timberwolves looked very much like a group that had yet to play together, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, who writes that “the lane was clogged, the ball movement was non-existent and shots were clanking.” However, as Krawczynski outlines, the Wolves know integrating Gobert and the other new players on the roster will take some time and weren’t discouraged by the early returns. “I thought it was good at times, bad at times,” Gobert said after the game. “But I think that’s the fun of it.”
- Chris Hine of The Star Tribune takes an in-depth look at Anthony Edwards‘ intense offseason training regimen and explores how that work might translate to the court in the Timberwolves guard’s third NBA season. While much of the focus will be on Gobert’s impact, Edwards’ ability to continue taking his game to new levels may determine how high Minnesota’s ceiling rises.
- The Jazz issued a press release on Friday announces several new hires and promotions within the team’s basketball operations department. Most notably, Bart Taylor was named Utah’s vice president of player personnel, while Marquis Newman‘s is now director of pro personnel for the Jazz and general manager of the Salt Lake City Stars, Utah’s G League affiliate.
The Timberwolves will be fine because Towns can shoot it from outside. Playing with Gobert on the court at the same time won’t be a problem at all this year. They just need to pay attention where the other guy is and stay on the other side.
Towns is on the right block, Gobert needs to be at the left foul line extended. Gobert on the left block, then Towns needs to be on the right foul line extended. One guy cuts over the other guy fades to the other side. Definitely won’t be a problem, these guys will figure it out. Really though, it’s Towns’ fantastic shooting that will make it happen.
Another thing that needs to be emphasized is that both guys cannot hunt for offensive rebounds. They have to figure out a way where perhaps the guy closest to the rim does so, and the other guy Sprints back on defense. If they don’t determine that early it’ll be a long night at the office.
Jaden McDaniels will have to improve his 3-point shooting. Would have loved to have seen Minnesota make a deal for Luke Kennard, who appears to odd man out with the Clippers. This is the type of shooter they need to add.
I hope OKC don’t tank again, and fake/over state an SGA or Giddey injury. their team is good, maybe better than Pistons young core.
But why tank for a small chance at a player? to sacrifice arguably you best pick in years in Holmgren, if they win the lottery, what then? Sign Wemby and write off Chet before he even laces up?
Trade down for Scoot and sacrifice a locked on AS level PG in SGA? There’s is no logic this year, just work on growth now, the team is good enough.
The talent level currently on the OKC roster pretty much ensures another “tank” season.
2023 Draft is being touted as potentially most loaded since 2003. Plenty more players than just Vic and Scoot. Amen Thompson would also be a nice addition to OKC, or anybody else, so would his twin brother.
I agree there are plenty more than Wemby and Henderson, but let’s be realistic.
You have a proven 25-6 PG, why risk a losing him, for a maybe? You have a walking triple double in Giddey, who’s already upset he was sat the end of last season so they could tank, which cost him all rookie first? Why rish any of that for a lot of maybe players, for OKC they shouldn’t need to tank with the players they have.
The only two I would call guarantee stars would be as I said Scoot&Vic. Other than that it’s a lot of maybes. They claim “deepest draft since” nonsense every few year, 2021, 2019, 2016 2011 2009 and I’m sure I missed a couple. Only difference this year is the inclusion of Wemby but I remember the likes of Zion, Simmonds and AD all got similar, “best prospect since lebron chat”. Play the damn game.
This group of prospects is different. They have all already exited high school basketball and have already been playing some form of professional basketball. All the while getting coached and evaluated by real coaching professionals. Scoot is already in the G League. A few more are with Overtime Elite. This class is different!
I’m not saying they’re not good prospect but. From someone that saw the 96 drat(best draft turnout.) and then hear this year is better, that draft is all time, bla bla over and over. It just feels like the same story being repackaged over and over.
As I said outside of Wemby and Henderson. It’s the same as any other year. If I’m honest I would 100% take the 21 draft in recent memory for upside and depth any day. 6-10 AS level and higher with others to emerge. And again they called that the deepest draft ever. Same thing different year. Just enjoy the game and stop overthinking possible maybes from a draft in the future.
The other fact at work here is SGA. OKC has NOT sniffed being anything other than the worst team in the NBA despite his 25 and 6.
OKC must decide if SGA is merely a stats guy on a bad team, or if he is somebody you can actually win with. OKC must also decide if this guy can stay healthy.
SGA must decide if he will sign another extension with OKC. If he ain’t signing, like Dejuante Murray, then he will be dealt.
At this point, I would deal him, if I were OKC. Have to wonder if OKC’s health staff are doing all they can? It really does make a difference. I’m sure the Knicks would likely make an offer.
I think whenever teams do front office hires they should have to post a mandatory flowchart. It has to show a graphical representation of where this new person sits on that teams’ hierarchy. =)