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Shams Charania: Dalen Terry departs the Warriors' G League team in Santa Cruz to provide a wing addition to Oklahoma City. Per ESPN Research, the Thunder became the first team in 50 years to have three starters suffer injuries in the same game -- Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace on Oct. 25 -- and then all three miss the team's next 20 games or more.
For Monday night’s game against the Cavaliers, the Thunder have already listed six players as being out: Alex Caruso, Chet Holmgren, Thomas Sorber, Nikola Topic, Cason Wallace, and Jalen Williams. “Injuries are gonna happen, but part of it’s like, you know, the wear and tear on these guys—maybe you need to reduce that a little bit,” Johnson continued. “The talent you see in the league has never been higher. … Just in terms of watching the guys at the height of their powers, I love the product.”
Shams Charania: The Thunder are no longer signing free agent Ochai Agbaji as the franchise takes a step back to re-evaluate its open roster spot after losing Chet Holmgren for two-plus months, per sources.
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Grant Afseth: Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report vs. Dallas Mavericks: QUESTIONABLE: Ajay Mitchell (right ankle sprain) OUT: Alex Caruso (right ankle sprain) Chet Holmgren (right knee patellar tendinitis) Thomas Sorber (right knee surgery) Nikola Topić (low back surgery) Cason Wallace (left shoulder labral tear) Jalen Williams (left ankle fracture)
As Bobby notes, Oklahoma City's financial situation will make it difficult to trade for another high-salary contributor. The only Thunder players making more than $7.8 million this season are effectively untradeable: Williams, Gilgeous-Alexander, Caruso, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Barring a shocking trade of one of those players -- a swap involving Williams is perhaps feasible in a vacuum if the Thunder want to maximize their championship chances this season, but it seems inconceivable in context -- the Thunder won't be able to match the salaries of potential targets such as Trey Murphy III (New Orleans) or Michael Porter Jr. (Brooklyn). Nor will they be able to replace Williams' rare combination of offense, defense and size.
Justin Martinez: Here’s the injury report for OKC’s game against Phoenix tonight: Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace and Jalen Williams are out
Chet Holmgren and Ajay Mitchell immediately covered their eyes and looked away. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was closest and looked toward his bench, covering his mouth with one hand. Isaiah Hartenstein was on the bench facing the play, covered his face in a towel and walked to the tunnel. The Clippers first checked on Jones, but upon seeing Williams, Rui Hachimura put his hands on his head and walked behind the stanchion. Brook Lopez covered his mouth and turned away. Dunn was later assessed a flagrant 1 for his involvement. Williams’ teammates looked shocked when they noticed his foot curving left. The Thunder’s medical staff surrounded him for several minutes while he lay on the floor.
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Clemente Almanza: Mark Daigneault on any Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams limitations after no preseason. “We’ll see. They’re both definitely healthy and ready to go.”
Holmgren isn’t interested in revisiting that matchup with the Spurs or with Wembanyama. He learned a lot from that series, he says, “but the takeaways from that are tangible against the other 28 teams, too.” Asked if he relished the matchup, Holmgren said, “I relish every game.” Asked if Wembanyama, who has had some not-so-subtle criticisms of Holmgren over the years, had made the rivalry personal, Holmgren said, “that’s a question for him.” Asked if going up against the Spurs felt different than matchups with the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Lakers or any other conference rival, Holmgren paused. “I wouldn’t put it that way,” said Holmgren. How would he put it? “I don’t know.”
When attacking the offseason, Holmgren has a philosophy: Forget everything that came before it. “Disassociate,” says Holmgren. Win a championship? Forget it. Get outplayed in the conference finals? Throw that in the bin, too. “Disassociate from the emotions of it,” says Holmgren. “What happened is not going to change my approach, how serious and how hard I work at what I do.”
