After a dominant 149-106 victory in Game 2, the Oklahoma City Thunder are riding high as they head into Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Denver Nuggets. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with a historic performance, scoring 34 points in just three quarters, showcasing his two-way brilliance and putting the Nuggets on notice. But as Game 3 approaches, fans are left wondering: Is SGA playing tonight?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is good to go for Game 3. There’s no injury tag next to his name, and the only guy ruled out for OKC is Nikola Topic (knee injury, still sidelined). So, unless something wild happens last minute, expect the man of the hour, SGA, to be out there dropping buckets.
But … remember, he had a little ankle soreness earlier in the season? However, there’s been nothing suggesting he’s banged up right now. Speaking of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, let’s talk about Game 2 for a second. Shai’s performance was so clean, it’s almost like he was playing on easy mode. The man dropped 34 points on 11-of-13 shooting, went perfect from the free-throw line (11-for-11, get that man a trophy), and didn’t even break a sweat doing it. Oh, and did I mention he did it in THREE quarters?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a +51 tonight.
The highest +/- in a playoff game in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/AvQh9rUbYR
— Real Sports (@realapp_) May 8, 2025
He had a plus-minus of +51, a number that hasn’t been seen in the NBA playoffs since 1998. For context, that’s not just a “good game,” that’s a statement. Not even Jokic could stop him. It’s official: SGA’s built differently.
Thunder Depth Chart: How OKC Looks Heading into Game 3
Now, let’s take a look at the Thunder’s depth chart for Game 3. While SGA is the obvious star, Oklahoma City’s depth has been key to their success this season and throughout the playoffs. With a well-balanced roster, they’ve been able to throw different looks at Denver and keep the pressure on.
POSITION
STARTER
2nd UNIT
3rd UNIT
PG
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Cason Wallace
Ajay Mitchell
SG
Luguentz Dort
Alex Caruso
Cason Wallace
SF
Jalen Williams
Isaiah Joe
Aaron Wiggins
PF
Chet Holmgren
Aaron Wiggins
Kenrich Williams
C
Isaiah Hartenstein
Jaylin Williams
Chet Holmgren
This OKC rotation’s deeper than your favorite NBA conspiracy. Eight guys in double figures in Game 2—eight. It wasn’t just the Shai Show; everybody came out hoopin’. Cason Wallace looked like a vet. Wiggins brought that Red Bull energy. Even Jaylin Williams gave solid paint minutes.
And nah, this ain’t new. The Thunder bench has been doing this all year. Game 2 just put it on national display. They don’t just hold leads—they stretch them. No fall-off, just fresh legs and pressure.
Now for the receipts: 87 first-half points—playoff record. 149 total—franchise best and a league milestone. 58.8% from the field, 94.4% from the stripe, 45 in the first quarter. That’s not a heater—that’s a fire drill.
So heading into Denver, OKC’s got more than just momentum. They’ve got depth, swagger, and the film to back it up. If the Nuggets thought Game 2 was a fluke, they better tighten up. Because if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stays locked in and the bench keeps swinging? It might be another long night at altitude.
The post Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Playing Tonight? Exploring Injury Report for Star’s Status Ahead of Thunder vs Nuggets Game 3 appeared first on EssentiallySports.
