After an eventful offseason, OKC Thunder’s star point guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is set to miss Monday’s preseason opener against the San Antonio Spurs, according to reports.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault informed reporter Nick Gallo on Sunday that both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and teammate Luguentz Dort would be taking a few extra rest days.
Monday’s game at Frost Bank Center kicks off the Thunder’s four preseason matchups. Following their stop in San Antonio, they will welcome the Houston Rockets for their home preseason opener two days later. This could be the chance for Gilgeous-Alexander and Dort to step onto the court in front of their home crowd.
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Though the stakes are low, this game is a great opportunity for some of the younger players to stand out. Expect Cason Wallace, rookies Dillon Jones, Ajay Mitchell, and Ousmane Dieng to make their mark early.
This opening preseason game also offers OKC a chance to experiment with different bench rotations throughout the game.
Following their matchup with the Spurs, the Thunder’s preseason continues with three more games, including matchups against the Houston Rockets and the Denver Nuggets.
Even though these preseason contests won’t replicate the full intensity of the regular season opener on October 24 when OKC faces off against the Nuggets, they provide a valuable opportunity for the coaching staff to fine-tune strategies and determine effective player rotations.
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