In a recent announcement, it was revealed that Aleksej Pokusevski out for 8 weeks amid injury, a forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder, will be sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained during an offseason training session. Had the NBA’s new CBA rules been in place from the start of his rookie season, Pokusevski’s chances of making an All-NBA team in his first three seasons would have been slim.
Aleksej Pokusevski Out for 8 Weeks Amid Injury
Throughout his career, Pokusevski has yet to achieve an average of more than 10 points per game, and his performance statistics have room for improvement before he can be considered a standout player. However, it’s his history of injuries and limited availability that would have hindered his All-NBA prospects.
Over his three NBA seasons, the third-year forward has never played more than 65 games in a season due to various injuries. Unfortunately, his fourth season is proving to be no exception. The recent announcement of his ankle injury sidelines him for 6-8 weeks, likely causing him to miss the beginning of the 2023-24 regular season.
Injuries have been a recurring issue for Pokusevski throughout his career, casting doubt on whether the Oklahoma City Thunder should rely on him as a key player. This recent injury setback adds to the concerns surrounding his durability. However, it could provide opportunities for other Thunder players, such as Ousmane Dieng, to step up and secure a spot in the rotation alongside stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and Chet Holmgren.
Last season, Pokusevski averaged 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, leaving a void to fill while he recovers. If his recovery progresses as planned, he may not miss too many games at the start of the season. Nevertheless, maintaining his health upon return remains a challenge.
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