Thunder Hit by Injury Wave
Oklahoma City visits Dallas missing Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, and Chet Holmgren, while betting markets shift their odds.
By Mateo Thompson ·
The NBA slate this Wednesday features the final four unbeaten teams, all of them located in the Western Conference. One of those clubs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, faces a difficult test against the Dallas Mavericks in their first matchup of the season.
The Thunder are missing key players due to injuries sustained in recent games. Jalen Williams suffered a fractured fibula and a dislocated left ankle in Sunday’s game against the Clippers. General Manager Sam Presti confirmed the diagnosis, noting the 25-year-old forward had to be stretchered off the court. The team has not set a definitive return date, with expectations ranging from several months to the end of the season.
Compounding the issue is a torn left shoulder labrum suffered by Cason Wallace in the same game. Wallace, who signed a five-year, $139 million contract extension recently, was a first-team All-Defensive selection last year. His injury adds to a growing list of absences that includes Chet Holmgren, who is out with patellar tendinitis in his right knee. Guard Alex Caruso also sat out after spraining his right ankle in Monday’s win over Phoenix.
Betting markets have responded to these changes. Thunder futures odds for winning the NBA title moved from +300 to +360. The win total dropped from 61.5 to 58.5. These adjustments occurred before accounting for the full impact of the Wallace injury. The team’s perimeter defense is particularly thin after trading away Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins in the offseason.
The Mavericks enter the game with a mixed record, having alternated wins and losses. First-year head coach Dusty May has guided the team to impressive victories on the road in Indiana and Miami. Cooper Flagg played well in Monday’s 113-109 win over the Heat, recording 29 points, 11 rebounds, five steals, and three blocks. He had been questionable for that game due to a sore shoulder but took the court.
Dallas has some uncertainty regarding its roster status for Wednesday. Kyrie Irving is listed as questionable with a knee issue, while forwards Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin are also questionable. Walter Clayton, a recent two-way signing, provided a boost on Monday with 15 points and four steals in 17 minutes. The Thunder swept the three-game series against Dallas last season, winning by an average of 13 points.
The model projects an Oklahoma City victory by a three-point margin, specifically 118-115. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to play a larger role with his teammates out. The Thunder’s next test comes in Dallas, where they must manage a roster that has lost depth to both injury and offseason trades.
