With this damn COVID, the word “protocol” really entered the vocabulary of the NBA. But there is not only the health protocol in life, there is also the concussion protocol, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has just entered it. A headache not very surprising when you know that he plays in the Thunder …
Eight losses in a row, overall record of 6 wins for 16 losses, and the worst humiliation in history last night in Memphis. Sorry Shai, this is the life you are living. SGA can take comfort in saying to himself that he did not participate in the biggest all-time blowout among the Grizzlies. Indeed, he was out because he was placed in the NBA concussion protocol before the OKC meeting in Tennessee, as indicated by insider Marc Stein. A commotion that dates from the Thunder’s trip to Houston in the tanking championship game the day before yesterday. So for Shai, who was starting to heat up after several discreet performances (five games in a row at 15 points or less). It was in this same meeting in Texas that Gilgeous-Alexander planted his season record, namely 39 pawns (only three units under his career-high). Already absent for two games at the end of November due to an ankle injury, SGA therefore returned to the infirmary until he passed the concussion tests. No return date has yet been communicated. There is a way that it lasts several days, and will therefore have to stuff OKC without SGA. Spoiler is ugly, very ugly, very very ugly.
Like us, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander witnessed the Thunder’s disgraceful performance in Memphis that night. Like us, he was probably shocked by the score: 152-79. No, it wasn’t Team USA that faced Nigeria at the Olympics. No, it was not a Coupe de France match with an eight-level gap. Non. It was a game between two NBA teams. Extended at a high price in the offseason ($ 172 million over five years), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the great symbol of the post-Russell Westbrook Thunder era. It represents one of the pillars of the reconstruction initiated by Sam Presti, a reconstruction which is still in its infancy. SGA knows full well that he is going to lose a lot of games, he knows full well that OKC is not equipped to do anything meaningful this season. But for a competitor like Shai, who got a taste of the Playoff vibe early on, that kind of humiliation is probably hard to swallow. Even if he didn’t play …
We should therefore not see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the court for the next meetings of the Thunder, who will face Detroit, Toronto and the Lakers in the coming week. A tip Shai: avoid watching these matches, because your headaches could only get worse …
Source text: Marc Stein
The Thunder say guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol.
More NBA from me: https://t.co/LGN9cV7Dif
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 2, 2021
