As Oklahoma City Limps Towards All-Star Week, the Break Comes At the Perfect Time
Once again, Oklahoma City is blowing expectations out of the water. Heading into Wednesday's showdown against the Nuggets, the Thunder ranks No. 3 in the Western Conference with a chance to snag the No. 2 spot.
Through 47 games, Oklahoma City is currently 32-15. The team has been a two-way force, displaying one of the best offenses and defenses in the league. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a legitimate MVP candidate and Mark Daigneault is the Coach of the Year favorite. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams have been just as responsible for Oklahoma City's jump, as the two rising stars have developed in a hurry.
Of course, Oklahoma City's team progression and star power is the main reason for the team's record and trajectory at the moment. But the Thunder's injury luck can't be overlooked, and has played a huge part in the team's success. For the most part, the team has been entirely healthy.
Outside of Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams missing the first few weeks of the season with injuries, Oklahoma City hasn't has any trouble staying healthy. It has been an underrated part to the Thunder's overall success and chemistry.
With just seven games until the All Star break though, the team is beginning to run into a few hurdles. Both Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe have been ruled out for Wednesday night's game, and it's unclear how much time each player will miss. Both suffered injuries against the Timberwolves, and Williams' ankle tweak could be more than just a simple tweak. We just don't know.
Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren and Lu Dort were all listed on the original injury report, but all three were upgraded to available. If the team is toughing it out and playing through injuries, it certainly won't be the last time.
The main reason for the injury report designations and the exhausted play on the court can be partly attributed to the brutal January schedule. Oklahoma City played five total back-to-backs and had a heavy load of games during that gauntlet. The road trips were long and the time for rest was short, which is certainly showing in the nagging injuries and tired play.
Williams and Joe suffered freak injuries, unrelated to rest, but that's to be expected over the course of the season. And that's something the Thunder haven't had to deal with yet, as the team has had elite injury luck.
Now battling adversity, Oklahoma City needs the All-Star break more than ever. With a week off, Williams and Joe should be all able to get fully healthy, and SGA, Holmgren and Dort can nurse any nagging hold-ups as well. If anything, the team itself just needs rest. And that's what the break will bring.
Making it through these last seven games won't be easy, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel finally.
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