Following nine consecutive missed games, the Oklahoma City Thunder (47-15) finally got their 2026 MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back on February 27.
However, SGA finds himself on the NBA injury report once more for Tuesday’s 8:00 p.m. ET game vs. the Chicago Bulls (25-36).
Does the latest Shai Gilgeous-Alexander injury update point to his first absence of March? Below, we’ll dive into the latest SGA injury news and how it could impact PrizePicks player picks for the Thunder vs. Bulls tonight.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Injury Update: Is SGA Playing vs. Bulls?
Gilgeous-Alexander was officially ruled out for Tuesday night vs. the Bulls. It’s the same oblique injury that held the former MVP out from February 4 to 25.
It’s been labeled as “injury management,” though, suggesting it shouldn’t be another long-term absence. However, the Thunder now have to replace SGA’s 31.8 points per game (PPG), 4.4 rebounds per game (RPG), and 6.4 assists per game (APG) tonight.
According to PrizePicks Team Picks, SGA is the favorite to win the 2026 NBA MVP award, with a 1.33x payout. However, after tonight, Gilgeous-Alexander can only miss five more games to stay eligible for the award, as the NBA requires 65 games to be eligible for the award.
As expected from the MVP favorite, Gilgeous-Alexander carries a lofty 34.0% usage rate, per FantasyLabs. That leaves a lot of shots available for the rest of the roster.
Oklahoma City’s had plenty of practice replacing the Kentucky product of late, but what could that look like against the Bulls?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Injury Impact: Which Thunder Players to Target?
Thunder G Jalen Williams (hamstring), G Ajay Mitchell (abdominal/ankle), and C Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) will be out tonight, as well. That’s four major players out of the rotation, who combine for 73.9 PPG.
With all four players off the court, Thunder G Cason Wallace sees a +7.6% jump in usage rate. That translates to a 22.4% usage rate in the split, and Thunder G Jared McCain’s 25.8% mark provides another player to watch.
From February 4 to 25, Wallace averaged 31.3 minutes and 13.1 shots per game. Both marks surpass the 6’3” guard’s 27.3 minutes and 7.8 field goal attempts per contest for the season.
In the final three games before SGA returned, Wallace was finding a groove, putting up 20, 27, and 23 points, respectively, in those games.
The Kentucky product has a knack for getting in the paint, with 42.5% of his shots coming from within 10 feet of the rim. Chicago ranks 29th in shot distribution around the rim allowed, per Dunks & Threes. With the Bulls giving up 53.0 points in the paint per game (25th), Wallace could feast in the paint.
Cason Wallace vs. Bulls Projections, Picks
Here are a few of Cason Wallace’s projections on PrizePicks for tonight’s matchup vs. teh Bulls.
- 14.5 Points
- 24 Pts+Rebs+Asts
- 3.5 Rebounds
- 5 Assists
- 33.5 Fantasy Score
Make Thunder vs. Bulls Picks on PrizePicks
Following back-to-back wins, will the Thunder stay in the win column with SGA out tonight vs. the Bulls? Wallace is one player who could boost his production against the Bulls.
You can make your Thunder vs. Bulls picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 34 states.
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