Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander suffered an injury against the Cavs, forcing him to miss Friday's matchup against the Mavericks

They brace for it, watch film of the potential fatalities. A fortunate few have escaped. But all endure pain, customary when you step onto the pale hardwood in Oklahoma City.  Slow, 48-minute death — just three quarters if the damage is done like it has been three times this past week — by 1,