Shai Gilgeous-Alexander injury: knee issue

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been added to the Thunder’s injury report and is currently questionable for Wednesday, January 7, 2026, due to right knee bursitis.

The news broke just a few hours after his appearance in Las Vegas, where the Canadian guard was honored as Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. Coincidence? Probably, but the timing has nonetheless raised more than a few eyebrows among fans, fantasy players, and league insiders.

SGA and injuries: a rarity in recent years

Beyond the initial alarm, the numbers paint a fairly reassuring picture. Gilgeous-Alexander is not known for missing games – quite the opposite. Over the past two seasons he played at least 75 regular-season games, and in the 2025–26 campaign he has sat out just one game so far.

A curious detail: that lone absence also came against Utah, back on December 7. On that occasion, Oklahoma City crushed the Jazz 131–101, with Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams leading the way with 25 points apiece, despite playing fewer than 26 minutes each.

With Shai out, who to target in fantasy basketball?

If the Canadian star is held out, Jalen Williams would be the main beneficiary. Without Gilgeous-Alexander on the floor, his usage rate jumps to 31.1%, effectively making him the primary offensive option. The production backs it up: 25.2 points per 75 possessions in those situations.

The context would also be ideal. Utah owns the worst defensive rating in the league (122.0), a figure that further boosts Williams’ offensive upside, especially from a Dunkest perspective.

And it wouldn’t stop there. In the absence of the MVP, Oklahoma City could spread the responsibility among Ajay Mitchell, Cason Wallace, and Isaiah Joe, increasing rotations and pace to make up for the lack of its leader.

Load management or a real issue?

The feeling is that the Thunder are considering a simple rest day rather than dealing with a serious problem. The late addition to the injury report is something to monitor – particularly for fantasy purposes – but at the moment there are no signs of a prolonged absence.

With a strong position in the standings and championship ambitions, Oklahoma City can afford to be cautious. The priority is clear: having Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at his best when it truly matters.