DALLAS — The Oklahoma City Thunder faced the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night without their star guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been leading the league in scoring with an impressive average of 31.6 points per game. The absence was due to a sore right wrist, marking the first game he has missed this season.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault revealed that Gilgeous-Alexander informed the team about the injury upon arriving at the American Airlines Center for the game. Just one day prior, Gilgeous-Alexander had a stellar performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he scored 40 points and recorded eight assists. This particular game showcased both teams as they held the best records in the NBA this season, with the Thunder winning 134-114.

The seventh-year NBA player out of Kentucky has consistently dominated the court, averaging over 30 points for three consecutive seasons now. As the Thunder prepared to conclude the first half of their season, which stands at an impressive 34-6 record, fans and teammates alike hope for a speedy recovery for their leading scorer.