Despite several key role players leaving the team via trade in the offseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder were once again seen as one of the NBA championship favorites at the start of the season. The team returned two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and all-star-caliber forwards Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. Plus, the team added former Michigan big man Aday Mara to shore up their center rotation.

In a Western Conference dominated by talented big men like Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic, the Thunder have run into a problem in the early aughts of the new campaign, despite last year's success and the positive offseason moves.

Williams, after missing 49 games in the 2025-2026 season, suffered a serious leg injury in the fourth quarter of the team's 108-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Williams left the game on a stretcher with his leg covered by a towel, and several of his teammates fought to hide their emotions.

After the game, Alexander spoke about Williams' injury and the possibility of losing him for an extended period.

“I just feel bad for him,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s obviously going to be tough without a player like that. But he’s not gone for ever. He’ll be back better than ever, and we know it. We’ve just got to hold the fort down until he comes back.”

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While the Thunder can still be a winning team with Williams potentially out for a prolonged period, injuries to Williams, along with potential long-term injuries to Cason Wallace and Jaylin Williams, leave the roster thin, especially at wing. Roster depth becomes an even bigger concern after the trade of Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks and Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons.

The Thunder look to regroup as they face off against the Phoenix Suns.