Hall of Fame-bound SGA to lead Thunder's championship defense despite oblique injury

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just made history as the youngest Hall of Fame inductee in recent memory, and now he's about to write the next chapter of his legacy by trying to lead the Thunder to back-to-back championships.

At just 27 years old, SGA was selected for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after a historic 2025-26 season where he led Oklahoma City to a league-best 64-18 record. His accolades are staggering: reigning MVP, 127 straight games with 20+ points, and now a Hall of Famer before his prime is even fully realized.

But there's a wrinkle heading into the playoffs. Gilgeous-Alexander is dealing with an oblique injury that's caused him to miss some games entering the postseason. Still, if there's one player with the skill, intelligence, and clutch gene to elevate his game on the biggest stage despite injuries, it's SGA. His Hall of Fame career isn't done being written—in fact, the most important chapters might be coming this April and May.

Game 1 vs. the Suns tips off Sunday.