SGA feels better but timetable on knee still TBD

OKLAHOMA CITY — The damage bug often waits till midseason to start out bothering the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.

This time, it attacked within the offseason.

No. 2 total draft choose Chet Holmgren was dominated out for the season after struggling a foot damage final month. Now, prime returning scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will miss at the least just a few weeks with a sprained ligament in his left knee.

These accidents obtained a lot of the eye at Oklahoma Metropolis’s media day on Monday.

Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 24.5 factors, 5.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists final season earlier than getting shut down with a sore proper ankle. After the All-Star break, he averaged 30.4 factors on 54% capturing in 13 video games and scored at the least 30 factors 10 instances.

He had recovered from the ankle damage however obtained harm throughout a current exercise and awoke with stiffness within the knee. An MRI revealed a grade 2 MCL sprain. Whereas he is anticipated to overlook preseason motion, he could also be prepared for the season opener.

“I really feel rather a lot higher,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned Monday. “Headed in the appropriate course for certain. By way of a timetable, we’ll see.”

However Monday wasn’t all about injured gamers. Ahead Darius Bazley, who averaged 10.8 factors and 6.3 rebounds per recreation final season earlier than breaking a bone in his proper knee, bulked up from 208 kilos to 220 and adjusted his jersey quantity from 7 to 55.

Guard Tre Mann, who averaged 10.4 factors per recreation final season, got here in with a number of new tattoos sprawled throughout a considerably extra muscular arm.

And there are different rookies able to take the highlight.

Frenchman Ousmane Dieng, a 6-foot-10 ahead, averaged 8.9 factors and three.2 rebounds for the New Zealand Breakers final season. Jalen Williams, a 6-6 guard, averaged 18 factors and 4.2 assists final season as a junior at Santa Clara. Jaylin Williams, a 6-10, 240-pound ahead, averaged 10.9 factors and 9.8 rebounds per recreation for Arkansas final season.

They’ll pressure gamers corresponding to second-year ahead Aaron Wiggins to be at their finest throughout coaching camp.

“Guys are going to be actually gritty, actually aggressive with the mindset to type of show themselves,” Wiggins mentioned. “Everyone has one thing to show. I feel it requires a really aggressive coaching camp. It’s going to be a enjoyable one. It’s going to be one the place all of us type of get to check each other and see the place we stand and the way we are able to slot in.”

GIDDEY UP

Josh Giddey has excessive expectations after making the All-Rookie second workforce final season.

The Australian guard averaged 12.5 factors, 7.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists per recreation final season and was named Western Convention rookie of the month 4 instances. He recorded three straight triple-doubles simply earlier than taking place for the season with a sore proper hip.

However he knew he had work to do in the summertime. The 19-year-old made simply 26.3% of his 3 pointers final season.

“I spent plenty of time clearly specializing in areas I have to get higher at — capturing the ball, within the weight room rather a lot,” he mentioned.

DORT RETURNS

Guard Lu Dort signed a contract extension after growing his scoring output from 14.0 factors per recreation two seasons in the past to 17.2 final season.

He had surgical procedure on the torn labrum in his left shoulder in March, and he is able to go this season. He mentioned he desires to change into a greater determination maker when he assaults the basket.

Now heading into his fourth yr, he additionally desires to be extra of a frontrunner.

“I can have an even bigger position, simply being just a little extra vocal,” he mentioned. “Simply the truth that I went by way of a number of the stuff that the younger guys are going by way of proper now, I really feel like I can assist them and speak to them and all that.”

O, CANADA

Gilgeous-Alexander was a pressure for Canada’s nationwide workforce this summer time, highlighted by a 32-point efficiency in opposition to Dominican Republic in July.

“I obtained to play with some guys I grew up with, in order that was time,” he mentioned. “After which it simply saved me in just a little bit extra basketball form going into the summer time. Clearly video games are completely different, the movement and stuff, in order that was good, only for like reps. After which simply representing my nation — one thing that I’ve all the time wished to do.”