Article content
The first full week after the NBA’s all-star break was set to be the most exciting live set of games of the season for Canadian basketball fans.
Article content
Sadly, that’s no longer the case, with the Oklahoma City Thunder announcing Thursday night that reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would miss Tuesday’s game at Toronto. It’s the lone visit by the defending champs and the pride of Hamilton this season (barring an unlikely meeting in the NBA Finals) and one of the most expensive tickets as well, making his absence a double disappointment for fans. Gilgeous-Alexander did not play in the all-star game and has been out since Feb. 3 against Orlando due to an abdominal strain. There had been some hope he’d be back by Tuesday, but the Thunder said Thursday Gilgeous-Alexander won’t be evaluated again for another week.
Article content
Toronto is set to host one of the other faces of the league, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, a night later, but it’s not the can’t miss doubleheader everyone anticipated when the schedule was released.
Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 26.5 points per game at Toronto in six appearances since breaking in with the Los Angeles Clippers, and is averaging 31.8 per game this year, second only to Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic.
He was named Postmedia’s athlete of the year for 2025.
Article content
Loading...
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Play Video
Toronto previously shocked the Thunder at Oklahoma City in January, holding Gilgeous-Alexander to 24 points and zero three-pointers, sending the champions to a second straight home loss for the first time since early 2023.
Gilgeous-Alexander is just the latest in a line of present or past superstars unable to play at Toronto in 2025-26. Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic, Kawhi Leonard, Joel Embiid (for one of two games), Ja Morant, along with players likely out for the year like Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton.
CONSOLATION PRIZE
Wembanyama is a decent consolation prize though. He had a strong weekend in Los Angeles, forcing his fellow all-stars to play hard and remains a unique, must-see player.
Wembanyama had a ridiculous performance in his only game at Toronto so far, scoring 27 points on 10-for-14 shooting, along with 14 rebounds and 10 blocks. There have only been 12 games with a 10-block triple double by a player since 2010.
Share this article in your social network