Thunder Lose Two Starters to Surgery After Beating Clippers
Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace are out for months, leaving Oklahoma City with a depleted perimeter defense and $15 million in cap flexibility to seek replacements.
By Daphne Turner ·
The Oklahoma City Thunder are missing two starting guards for the foreseeable future. General manager Sam Presti confirmed on Monday that both players will undergo surgery and are expected to be out for several months.
Jalen Williams suffered a dislocated left ankle and a fractured fibula during the team's 108-101 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. He was removed on a stretcher late in the fourth quarter. Cason Wallace, who left in the first quarter, will have surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
The injuries strike a team that has already shed depth. The Thunder traded Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins this summer to clear cap space. Williams missed 49 games last season due to a wrist injury and hamstring issues. He played in only five postseason games. Wallace signed a five-year, $139 million extension just before the season began.
The defensive impact is immediate. The team has led the league in defensive rating for two consecutive seasons and ranks second so far this year. Last season, four perimeter players were recent All-Defensive honorees. Trades and injuries have reduced that group to one: Alex Caruso. Caruso averages 18.8 minutes per game in the regular season to preserve his energy for the playoffs.
The Thunder face financial constraints in replacing this talent. They are expected to receive a $15 million disabled player exception. Using more than $6.9 million of that space would push the team over the second apron. The squad also holds three trade exceptions valued at $17.8 million, $11.3 million, and $9.2 million. They possess seven tradeable first-round picks and 21 second-rounders.
Potential targets include Herb Jones of New Orleans and Justin Champagnie of Washington. Golden State guards De'Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II become trade-eligible on December 15. The Thunder may also look at Clippers players Derrick Jones Jr. and Kris Dunn, both of whom are in the final years of their contracts and are strong defenders.
The team is 3-0 this season. They hold the top seed in the West for the fourth consecutive year if current form holds. However, analysts note that the loss of Williams and Wallace could drop the team to the No. 3 seed. This scenario would likely force a matchup with the San Antonio Spurs before the conference finals.
Source: ESPN
