Thunder lose Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell to injuries ahead of important game 4 vs. Spurs

Thunder lose Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell to injuries ahead of important game 4 vs. Spurs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will be shorthanded Sunday night in a critical Game 4 matchup against the San Antonio Spurs after guards Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell were both ruled out because of injuries.

Williams will miss the game with a lingering left hamstring injury, while Mitchell has officially been ruled out because of a right calf strain suffered earlier in the Western Conference finals series.

The injuries create a significant challenge for Oklahoma City as it attempts to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over San Antonio. Williams has been one of the Thunder’s most important two-way players throughout the season, averaging 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds a. His versatility as both a scorer and secondary playmaker has made him a key complement to MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Williams’ absence was already felt in Game 3, though Oklahoma City still managed to earn a 123-108 road victory behind strong bench production and another dominant performance from Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder adjusted by relying heavily on their depth, with players like Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso and Jaylin Williams stepping into expanded roles.

Thunder face growing injuries 

Mitchell’s injury further complicates Oklahoma City’s rotation. The second-year guard had emerged as one of the Thunder’s most valuable postseason contributors while filling in for Williams. Mitchell has averaged 15.1 points and 4.3 assists during the playoffs and finished fifth in Sixth Man of the Year voting this season.

Despite the injuries, the Thunder still enter Game 4 with momentum after controlling much of Game 3 and limiting Victor Wembanyama offensively for stretches. However, Oklahoma City’s margin for error becomes smaller without two key rotation players available.

For San Antonio, the absences provide an opportunity to even the series before it shifts back to Oklahoma City for Game 5.