Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will return for OKC’s showdown against the Nuggets

After missing the previous nine games with an abdominal strain, Oklahoma City Thunder‘s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will return on Friday for a match against fellow MVP candidate Nikola Jokić and Denver Nuggets. In the rematch of the Western Conference semifinals, this year’s leading MVP candidates Gilgeus-Aleksandar and Jokic will end at the Paicom Center. The Thunder went 5-4 without Shai, including a 124-116 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

For the first time in weeks, Gilgeous-Alexander was not on the Thunder injury reportclearing the way for him to return on Friday against the Nuggets. Jaylen Williams (right hamstring), Ajay Mitchell (abdominal sprain/left ankle sprain) and Branden Carlson (lower back) are out for Oklahoma City.

The Nuggets will be without Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson due to right hamstring injuries. All-Star Jamal Murray is listed as questionable with an illness and Julian Strother is listed as probable.

The Nuggets are 4-6 in their last 10 games, coming off a 103-84 win against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

Mark Daigneault on Thunder’s “mental toughness” without SGA

After the win against the Raptors, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised his team for his mental toughness in overcoming so many injuries, including those to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell. Without three of their top four scorers, the Thunder followed up their 121-113 victory over the Cavs with a nine-point win against the Raptors.

The Thunder coughed up 20+ point leads in both games, which was a testament to Dayno the focus of his team to conclude the victory against two competing teams.

“It becomes a very tough game to win when you blow a lead like that and they come back and tie it,” Daigneault said. “Even the Cleveland game over the weekend was like that; we had an early lead. They came all the way back in the game. They took the lead. It takes a lot of mental toughness to get to the next possession.”

“Cason was brilliant all night, but he was huge in that stretch. He had four straight points. And then he found Isaiah. So he scored seven points right off the tie that broke the game open. But great mental toughness from the team.”

Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will look to get back into the win column Friday against the Nuggets.