For Friday’s five-game NBA slate, ESPN features a doubleheader that’s capped by the Denver Nuggets (37-22) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (45-15).
In tonight’s 9:30 p.m. ET clash between title contenders, both teams could have their superstars active. After missing nine consecutive games, Thunder PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seems on track to play tonight.
Let’s break down the latest Shai Gilgeous-Alexander injury update and how his potential return could impact PrizePicks NBA projections for the Nuggets vs. Thunder.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Injury Update: Is He Playing vs. Nuggets?
SGA does not appear on the NBA injury report for Friday, as he was cleared from an abdominal strain on Thursday night.
According to PrizePicks Team Picks, Gilgeous-Alexander is the favorite to win the NBA MVP Award (1.44x). He has the stats to back it up, averaging 31.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game.
The four-time All-Star may return to a large workload, as he leads Oklahoma City with a 33.7% usage rate, per FantasyLabs.
Shai previously faced the Nuggets on February 1 and logged 34 points, 5 rebounds, and 13 assists. PrizePicks projections are forecasting Gilgeous-Alexander for 28.5 points and 38.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Injury Impact: Which Thunder Players to Target?
While the MVP candidate is back in the lineup, OKC still lacks a healthy rotation with Thunder F-G Jalen Williams (hamstring) and G Ajay Mitchell (abdominal/ankle) out.
Williams (17.5 PPG) and Mitchell (14.1 PPG) rank second and fourth in the Thunder’s scoring department. Furthermore, the two sport high usage rates of 26.5% and 22.7%, respectively.
When Williams and Mitchell are off the court, SGA’s usage rate rises to 34.0%. During Gilgeous-Alexander’s lengthy absence, Thunder G Cason Wallace stepped up to the plate to the tune of a 14.6 PPG mark.
Wallace’s increase from his 8.9 PPG on the season could continue, as he sees a +2.2% increase in usage rate when Williams and Mitchell are off the court. Plus, the Kentucky product has made 11 of his last 19 3-point attempts (57.9%) and averaged 23.3 PPG over his past three games. The Nuggets rank 19th in 3-point shot distribution allowed, per Dunks & Threes.
Cason Wallace vs. Nuggets Projections, Picks
Here are some of Wallace’s projections on PrizePicks for Friday night's duel with the Nuggets.
- 9.5 Points
- 15.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- 12.5 Pts + Asts
- 22 Fantasy Score
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Make Nuggets vs. Thunder on PrizePicks
Gilgeous-Alexander could immediately return to a large workload, as Williams and Mitchell continue to miss time. This might also mean increased usage for role players, including Wallace.
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