After the Oklahoma City Thunder lost Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace to long-term injuries this week, the team is trying to stay positive despite the two starters' absences. The Dallas Mavericks handed the Thunder their first loss of 2026-27—a 120-96 rout. On the bench in street clothes, with his left arm in a sling, was Wallace, a Dallas native who traveled with Oklahoma City amidst a three-game road trip.

After the game, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault discussed the significance of having Wallace on the bench for the first time since he sustained his shoulder injury on Sunday.

“It's been great having him around, and the guys have heard from Dub,” Daigneault said. “I think that's kind of given the guys permission to get ready every night and go compete. Obviously, you want to appropriately empathize with those guys, and we have, and the guys have, but those guys have been amazing — Cason and Dub. Just in terms of staying plugged into the team, and making the guys feel like they can go out there and compete every night as a team. So, it was great having him here.”

Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell, who filled the void left by Cason Wallace in head coach Mark Daigneault's starting lineup, talked about the luxury of having Wallace and Jalen Williams around.

“They're a big part of a team,” Mitchell said. “So, it's great just to have them around; hear from them. They have great spirit, and I think that helps all of us.”

Although Mitchell followed up his career-high 30 points with 29 against the Mavericks, Oklahoma City's defense struggled to minimize Dallas' offense, as Cooper Flagg (26 points), PJ Washington (18 points), and Kyrie Irving (15 points) combined for 59 points. The Mavericks shot 47.4%, including 35.6% from beyond the 3-point arc.

At the same time, the Thunder shot at a 41.4% clip, including 5-for-32 from deep (15.6%). All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 21 points. Isaiah Hartenstein and Jared McCain were the only other Thunder players who scored in double figures, with 10 points apiece.

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Still, Gilgeous-Alexander believes having Williams and Wallace around the Thunder is a good thing that helps the team find its way through the difficult process of playing without three starters.

“We knew that was never going to leave us. It'll be like that for the rest of our lives,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Having those guys around, still communicating, will be good for us.”

All-Star Chet Holmgren, who's dealing tendinitis in his right knee, missed his second consecutive game on Wednesday. The Thunder will face the Rockets on Saturday.