The Oklahoma City Thunder were riding high, looking every bit like a team ready to control the Western Conference. Then Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went down. At first glance, it seemed like a short-term setback.
In reality, his injury may have shifted the entire playoff race. The Thunder’s recent losses without their MVP candidate have allowed the San Antonio Spurs to creep within two games of them. Allowing the Spurs' home advantage would be a significant blow.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s absence exposes Thunder weaknesses
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t just the Thunder’s leading scorer. He is their offensive engine and late-game stabilizer. Everything flows through him. His ability to collapse defenses, live at the free-throw line, and control tempo has masked cracks that are now impossible to ignore.
Without him, the Oklahoma City Thunder have struggled to generate efficient half-court offense. The ball sticks, spacing shrinks, and execution in clutch moments has dipped noticeably.
Opponents are no longer forced into constant rotations. They can stay home on shooters and crowd secondary creators. That shift has translated directly into losses. The Thunder don’t just miss his scoring. They miss his hierarchy.
It also underscores what truly separates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from even the Thunder’s other leaders. While Jalen Williams continues to grow into a secondary star, it’s Shai who provides the humility and glue-like presence that keeps everything connected.
He sets the tone without ego, balances shot distribution, and ensures roles remain clear
The Spurs' pressure grows as Western playoff picture tightens
The Golden State Warriors’ 2017 and 2018 championship runs were the last back-to-back; since then, no other team has achieved that feat. Statistically speaking, this is extremely challenging, and almost all needs to work out perfectly for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season to reach that elite status.
There is no firm update on when SGA will return—this is far from perfect. Meanwhile, the Spurs are just waiting for their moment to take over first place. The Spurs also lead the season series against the Thunder - they won the series in dominating fashion.
While Oklahoma City searches for answers, the Victor Wembanyama-led San Antonio Spurs have really made a hard playoff push and play almost without mistakes. They beat strong playoff teams like the Detroit Pistons with routine, and as for now, they seem like a top 3 title contender.
Their only flaw is their lack of experience at this point—this is manageable if they win by bigger margins. If the Thunder slide even a few spots, their playoff path changes dramatically.
Instead of controlling matchups, they could be staring at a far more dangerous first-round opponent. Even if Gilgeous-Alexander returns soon, rhythm isn’t automatic. Chemistry takes time, especially when rotations have been reshuffled.