Bold claim: The NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles highlights a patchwork of Oklahoma ties and Thunder stars, weaving a narrative that goes beyond the glitter of celebrity dunks. But here’s where it gets controversial: not every link to Oklahoma is on the court, and not every expected participant will actually suit up.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have two players named to the All-Star roster, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren earning選 selections. Holmgren will participate in the game on Sunday, while SGA will not due to an abdominal injury that sidelined him since February 3. The reigning MVP, who leads the league with an average of 31.8 points per game, is expected to be reevaluated after the All-Star Break.
Holmgren, in his third year, makes his All-Star Game debut and brings averages around 18 points and 9 rebounds per game. He’s also slated to compete in Saturday’s Shooting Stars challenge, offering a glimpse of his evolving all-around game.
Ajay Mitchell, a second-year Thunder guard, was selected for Friday’s Rising Stars showcase, but he, too, will miss the event due to an abdominal injury that began January 21. Mitchell is averaging about 14 points per game.
Oklahoma’s basketball footprint doesn’t end with current Thunder players. Cade Cunningham, the former Oklahoma State standout, returns for his second All-Star appearance as the Pistons’ guard, averaging 25 points, six rebounds, and nine assists per game.
Jeremiah Fears, the former Oklahoma Sooners guard and current Pelican rookie, will appear in the Rising Stars showcase, averaging around 13 points per game this season.
Additional Oklahoma connections amplify the weekend’s storyline:
- Darko Rajaković, head coach of the Toronto Raptors, will coach in the All-Star game. Rajaković is a former Thunder assistant coach and Tulsa 66ers head coach, strengthening the state’s coaching ties.
- Kevin Durant, another Thunder alumnus, will compete in the All-Star Game, reuniting with the weekend’s Oklahoma flavor in a different jersey.
- The G League Up Next Game on Sunday afternoon features Alondes Williams (OU alum, Capital City Go-Go), Dillon Jones (a former Thunder forward with Westchester Knicks), and Trey Alexander (Heritage Hall standout with the Birmingham Squadron).
For fans seeking a full rundown of events, the NBA’s official All-Star schedule offers all times and matchups.
Would you like this piece adjusted for a quick social media post or a longer feature piece with more context on each player’s Oklahoma history and impact? And do you prefer a deeper dive into how injuries might influence All-Star selections this year?
