The 2026-27 NBA regular season just started, but it has already become clear that injuries will impact the Most Valuable Player race.
Lorenzo Reyes of USA TODAY examines why Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander faces major challenges in defending his status as NBA MVP. Just one week into the 2026-27 NBA regular season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have endured a wave of injuries to key players, putting immense pressure on their primary superstar.
The Thunder have dealt with absences to players including Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, and Chet Holmgren. After a 4-0 start, Oklahoma City suffered a 120-96 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, raising questions about whether the team's mounting roster issues could derail Gilgeous-Alexander's campaign.
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