Checking the okc injury report today has become a bit of a morning ritual for Thunder fans lately. It's been a rough stretch. Honestly, seeing seven names on the list last Friday was enough to make anyone panic. But as we head into tonight’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center, things are finally starting to look a whole lot more "normal."
If you were worried about the big stars, you can breathe a little easier. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren are back. They both sat out that weird Memphis game, but they’re ready to go for this one. It's a massive relief because, let’s be real, watching a Thunder game without SGA feels like watching a movie with the main character missing.
The Big Names: Shai and Chet are Good to Go
The biggest news on the okc injury report today is who isn’t on it. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been playing like a back-to-back MVP candidate, is officially cleared. He had a minor ankle scare that kept him out of the Grizzlies game on January 9th, but he's been back since Sunday. He’s currently averaging about 31.9 points per game, which is just absurd.
Chet Holmgren is also in the clear. He was dealing with some "bilateral shin soreness"—which sounds like a fancy way of saying he’s been running too hard on those stilts he calls legs—but the medical staff seems happy with his recovery. Having him back to protect the rim against Victor Wembanyama is basically the only reason tonight’s game is a must-watch.
The Guys Still Sidelined
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though. We still have a few key players wearing street clothes on the bench.
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- Isaiah Hartenstein (Out): This one hurts. Hartenstein is dealing with a right soleus strain (that’s a calf muscle, for the non-doctors among us). He’s missed a good chunk of time, came back for five games, and then aggravated it again. There’s no firm date for his return, but the team is playing it safe. He definitely won't be out there tonight.
- Lu Dort (Questionable/Late Scratch Potential): This is the one to watch. Dort was a late addition to the report with left foot soreness. If he can't go, expect Aaron Wiggins or Ajay Mitchell to slide into that starting spot. Losing your best perimeter defender right when you have to chase around the Spurs' guards is never ideal.
- Nikola Topic (Out): He’s still recovering from that ACL surgery. We knew this was a "redshirt" year for the rookie, so no surprises here.
- Thomas Sorber (Out): Another rookie out for the season following knee surgery.
Why Jalen Williams is the X-Factor Tonight
While we talk about injuries, we have to talk about Jalen Williams. He’s "healthy" in the sense that he’s playing, but he’s clearly not 100%. If you’ve watched the last few games, his jumper looks... different.
J-Dub actually opened up about this recently, and it was pretty eye-opening. He had two surgeries on his right wrist over the summer after playing through torn ligaments to help win the championship last year. He basically admitted that it might take a full year or even eighteen months to get his "touch" back.
"It sucks. It's a very annoying process," Williams told reporters this week. "This injury is not something where you get two hand surgeries and you're good to go."
Even with a wonky wrist, he’s still putting up 17.6 points and career-high assist numbers. But his three-point shooting has dipped to 28%. Mark Daigneault has been trying to surround him with more spacers—like Wiggins and Mitchell—to give him room to operate as a playmaker while his shot is still MIA.
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How the Rotation Shifts Against San Antonio
With Hartenstein out and Dort's status up in the air, the rotation is going to look a bit funky. Coach Daigneault has been leaning on Ajay Mitchell way more than anyone expected at the start of the season. Mitchell played 38 minutes against Memphis and has proven he can handle the ball without turning it over every five seconds.
If Lu Dort sits, the defensive burden falls heavily on Cason Wallace. Cason had his own toe issue recently but he’s off the okc injury report today and should be ready to pester whoever the Spurs put at the point.
The frontcourt is still the biggest concern. Without Hartenstein or Jaylin Williams (who has also been banged up), Chet is basically our only traditional big man. We’re going to see a lot of "small ball" with Kenrich Williams or even J-Dub playing up a position. It works because the Thunder play so fast, but it makes rebounding a nightmare.
Scouting the Opponent: San Antonio’s Health
To give you the full picture, the Spurs aren't exactly at full strength either.
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- Devin Vassell is out with a left adductor strain. That’s a huge loss for their scoring.
- Harrison Ingram and a few others are away with the G League.
- Victor Wembanyama is healthy, which is the only thing that really matters for their game plan.
The matchup between Chet and Wemby is the headliner, but the game might actually be decided by whether the Thunder’s bench—guys like Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe—can outscore the Spurs' second unit.
What This Means for Your Bets and Fantasy Teams
If you're looking at the betting lines, the Thunder opened as 9.5-point favorites. That seems high if Dort is out, but with Shai back, the offense usually finds a way. For fantasy owners, keep a close eye on Ajay Mitchell. If Dort is ruled out an hour before tip-off, Mitchell becomes a high-value "stream" option for assists and steals.
Also, don't give up on J-Dub. Even if the shooting percentages are ugly, he’s rebounding and passing at a high level. He’s finding ways to be a star even when his body isn’t cooperating.
Actionable Insights for Tonight’s Game
Keep these things in mind as tip-off approaches at 7:00 PM CT:
- Monitor the 6:30 PM Update: The final "active" list usually drops 30 minutes before the game. Check for Lu Dort's final status. If he's out, the defensive intensity on the perimeter drops significantly.
- Watch the Rebound Battle: Since OKC is thin at center with Hartenstein out, watch how they handle the boards. If they're getting killed on the glass early, it’s going to be a long night.
- Adjust Expectations for J-Dub: Don't expect him to suddenly start hitting five threes. Watch for his "rim pressure"—his ability to drive and kick. That’s how he’s helping the team right now.
- SGA's Minutes: After the ankle scare, see if Daigneault caps Shai’s minutes if the game gets out of hand. If it’s a blowout, he might sit the entire fourth quarter to save those legs for the Rockets game on Thursday.
The okc injury report today is much cleaner than it was a week ago, which is a great sign for the team’s momentum as they stay atop the Western Conference standings. It's not perfect, but having the core trio of Shai, Chet, and J-Dub on the floor together is always a win.