Abdominal strains sideline Oklahoma City's star guard and rising sophomore, leaving fans to focus solely on Chet Holmgren's All-Star debut.
Oklahoma City Thunder fans initially had three players to look forward to representing their favorite team at All-Star Weekend.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was joined by first time All-Star Chet Holmgren in the main event. And sophomore breakout Ajay Mitchell was selected to compete in the Rising Stars game. But the inevitable every OKC observer knew was coming became official.
The NBA announced on Sunday that Gilgeous-Alexander was replaced on Team World by Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun. On Tuesday, the league announced that Mitchell was replaced on the sophomore squad by Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher.
Notably, the Thunder drafted Mitchell with the 38th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. His replacement was selected by the Hawks at the very top of the draft as the #1 overall pick. The fact that OKC has a player drafted in the 2nd round that is outperforming the first player taken in the same draft is a testament to Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City scouting department. Not sure if it says more about Mitchell's impressive rise or more about Risacher's disappointing decline, but it's an impressive feat nonetheless.
Coincidentally and unfortunately, both Thunder guards are forced to miss All-Star Weekend due to abdominal strains. Gilgeous-Alexander is set to be re-evaluated after the break. No timeline has been given for Mitchell's injury but the Sixth Man of the Year candidate will now have an extra week to focus on healing and recovery.
Now that Gilgeous-Alexander and Mitchell are officially out, all Thunder fans will be glued to Holmgren's long coming All-Star debut. The OKC big man is a member of USA Stars, the team headed up by Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Holmgren is joined by Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Anthony Edwards, Jalen Johnson and Tyrese Maxey.
Holmgren will also participate in the revival of the Shooting Stars competition. The seven footer with a jumper is on "Team All-Star" alongside Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors and three time All-Star and one time NBA champion Richard Hamilton formerly of the Detroit Pistons.
OKC fans will likely be disappointed not to see Gilgeous-Alexander or Mitchell in the All-Star festivities. But the good news is that both players should return shortly after the break ends. And for the Thunder faithful, watching the champs finally at full strength will be far more satisfying than watching any All-Star event.