Thunder Injury Update: Aleksej Pokusevski to be Re-Evaluated in Four to Six Weeks

After showing tremendous promise early in the 2022-23 season, Aleksej Pokusevski of the Oklahoma City Thunder suffered a tibial fracture that essentially ended his season. While he did come back late in the year, he never was able to get back into the regular rotation due to conditioning and getting back to full strength.

With that in mind, he had a full summer ahead of him to get back in shape and have a breakout 2023-24 season before earning a new contract. However, he yet again has suffered an injury. It was announced on Thursday evening by the Thunder that he sustained a small right humerus fracture during an offseason workout in Oklahoma City. Pokusevski will be re-evaluated in approximately four to six weeks.

From the Thunder: Aleksej Pokuševski sustained a small right humerus fracture during an off-season workout in Oklahoma City yesterday. He will be re-evaluated in approximately four to six weeks.
— Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) June 1, 2023

This means he is out until at least July. NBA Summer League likely wasn’t in his future, but this would eliminate him from consideration anyways. Assuming his recovery goes as planned, Pokusevski will absolutely be ready by the start of training camp. However, it could hinder his ability to develop this summer. Between missing significant games last season and now being out yet again now, this is a tremendous amount of developmental time he will miss.

Regardless, the 7-footer has always been a project and still has a bright future ahead of him. He will be playing for an extension with the Thunder next season, so it’s an extremely important campaign. Especially if Oklahoma City drafts a forward with the No. 12 overall pick in a few weeks, earning time on the court will only become more challenging.

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