Thinned-Out Thunder Face a Stern Test in Dallas

By NBA Stat Desk How we produce articles

Oklahoma City arrives in Dallas missing two starters and with questions in the backcourt.

OKC @ DAL Oct 29, 2026 at 1:30 AM UTC

The Thunder's most important storyline is who will not be on the floor. Jalen Williams is expected to miss this game after a broken left fibula and dislocated left ankle that require surgery, and he may be out for the rest of the season. Cason Wallace will also sit as he heads for surgery on a torn left labrum. Return timelines for both will only be set after their procedures, but such operations typically mean several months of rehabilitation. Oklahoma City is not planning around a quick fix.

That puts a lot of weight on Ajay Mitchell. He started in Williams' place against Phoenix, scored 18 in the first half and finished with 30 in a 125-114 win. Repeating that against Dallas will be a different task, because the Mavericks can build their game plan around him. Alex Caruso is the other concern. He was helped to the locker room against Phoenix and ruled out with a right ankle sprain, so his availability here is uncertain. If he is limited or out, the backcourt gets thinner still.

The roster has little cushion to absorb all this. The Thunder traded Dort, Wiggins and Joe over the summer, so they have fewer perimeter options to turn to and fewer ways to replace the defensive pressure that Williams and Wallace provided. Fatigue and matchup problems could show up late if Mitchell has to carry a heavy creation load.

Oklahoma City showed against Phoenix that it can still score and respond to adversity, and I would not expect it to fold. But playing on the road with a depleted perimeter rotation is a hard way to start this stretch. I lean toward Dallas winning a tight game at home, with Oklahoma City hanging around before the lack of depth tells in the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Mavericks 113, Thunder 108.

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