Why Aaron Wiggins is not playing in the NBA Cup against the Kings after his best game of the season

Oklahoma City Thunder The name of guard Aaron Wiggins has been added injury report as was ruled out ahead of facing the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Cup game on Friday. Doc shorthand the Thunder won almost every game a league-leading 8-1 this season despite a string of injuries, they’ll look to do it again on the road. Wiggins scored 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting, including 7-for-10 from deep the Thunder’s first loss of the regular season.

Oklahoma City will look to bounce back from a 121-119 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. The Thunder will have to do it without Wiggins, who is dealing with a strained left adductor, and will join All-Stars Jaylen Williams and Kenrich Williams on the injury report as players ruled out for Friday’s game against the Kings. Lou Dort, who missed Wednesday’s game with a strained right upper trap, is listed as questionable.

Wiggins, who started five games due to injuries to Williams and Dort, has been a consistent weapon in the Thunder’s offense this season. Averaging 14.8 points on 45.9% shooting, including 41.7% from deep, Aaron Wiggins’ fifth season with the Thunder should be his best yet. Friday’s game against the Kings will be the first game he has missed this season.

The Thunder’s dominance continues amid an extended injury list

Amid the next-man-up approach, the Thunder were able to thrive without Jalen Williams, Kenrich Williams and Isaiah Joe, who returned this week after missing the first five games of the regular season.

For NBA analyst Chandler Parsons, the Thunder’s impressive start is a reflection of the front office preparing the right players, while building culture that young NBA players bought, he said, according to FanDuel Sports’ Run It Back.

“Branden Carlson. Who is he? You put him in the game last night, 19 minutes. He gives you 11 and five,” Parsons said. “Isaiah Joe is back. He only gives you 13 and five. Do you know how bad teams would struggle without three starters in the lineup that night? Not the Oklahoma City Thunder. Williams is out. Dort is out and Holmgren still slapped this team because it’s the next mentality. They go 11-12 deep.”

The Thunder will face the Kings before wrapping up their four-game road trip against the Grizzlies on Sunday.