Oklahoma City Thunder fans hoping for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to lead the charge tonight are going to be disappointed. The star guard has been downgraded from questionable to out for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers due to a lingering quad contusion.
This marks the third time in four games Gilgeous-Alexander will miss due to the injury. His absence creates an opportunity for other Thunder players to step up. In the past two games without SGA, Aaron Wiggins and rookie Cason Wallace received starting nods. It’s likely one of them will see another start tonight against the 76ers. Isaiah Joe could also see an expanded role with Gilgeous-Alexander out.
For fantasy basketball players, this news could be a boon. According to numberFire’s NBA Heat Map, the Thunder have the fifth-highest implied total (111.75 points) on the main slate tonight. Wiggins has averaged a solid 20.5 FanDuel points per game when Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t play this season. Wallace hasn’t been far behind at 16.7 FanDuel points per game, while Joe boasts an impressive 20.5 FanDuel points per game average in those situations.
Tipoff against the 76ers is set for tonight at 6:30 (Central). Will Wiggins, Wallace, or Joe have a breakout performance in Gilgeous-Alexander’s absence? I guess we’ll find out!
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