Thunder Stay Perfect as Serious Injuries Test Oklahoma City
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Phoenix Suns 125-114 to remain unbeaten through four games, despite losing starters Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace to serious injuries the previous day. Ajay Mitchell scored a career-high 30 points, while both injured players are facing surgery and an undetermined recovery timeline.
Thunder absorb another blow and keep winning
The Oklahoma City Thunder remained perfect through four games, defeating the Phoenix Suns 125-114 on Monday night despite entering the matchup without two starters lost to serious injuries the previous day.
Ajay Mitchell delivered a career-high 30 points, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 26 in the victory. Jared McCain scored 18 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 15 points and 13 rebounds as Oklahoma City overcame the depleted rotation.
The win came after general manager Sam Presti announced that Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace would be sidelined indefinitely following injuries sustained in Sunday’s victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Williams suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated left ankle, while Wallace sustained a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Both players are scheduled for surgery, and a return timetable will not be determined until after the procedures.
Holmgren also unavailable
The Thunder were without Chet Holmgren against Phoenix because of right patellar tendinitis, adding to the team’s short-term personnel concerns.
Despite those absences, Oklahoma City produced its fourth consecutive win. Mitchell’s scoring performance and Gilgeous-Alexander’s 26 points supplied the primary offensive lift in a game the Thunder controlled against the Suns.
The immediate challenge for Oklahoma City is maintaining that start while Williams and Wallace recover from injuries that could keep both out for an extended period. The club has not yet announced a definitive timetable for either player.