OKC Thunder Forced to Shuffle Starting Lineup vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Oklahoma City Thunder has started the season with an impressive 8-0 record, marking the best start in the franchise's history. Despite this strong performance, the team has faced significant adversity with multiple key players absent throughout the early season.
So far, OKC has yet to play a game with a full roster of its top talents. All-NBA swingman Jalen Williams has not made his season debut. Veteran big man Kenrich Williams and rookie guard Nikola Topic have also missed all eight games.
On Wednesday, during the second night of a back-to-back against the Portland Trail Blazers, three more key players were sidelined: rising star big man Chet Holmgren, defensive specialist Alex Caruso, and reigning All-Defensive guard Lu Dort.
- This game marks the fourth missed for Caruso and Holmgren this season.
- Dort sat out for the second time, listed with a right upper trapezius strain after leaving Tuesday's game early due to a shoulder injury.
- Holmgren is dealing with a lower back strain.
- Caruso was rested for this game.
“Dort is listed as a right upper trap strain after the Arizona State product left Tuesday's tilt with the L.A. Clippers early due to the shoulder injury suffered from fighting through a screen set by Ivica Zubac,” the team reported.
These absences leave three key starters on Mark Daigneault's injury report for tonight's matchup with Portland, challenging the Thunder's depth and rotations amid their historic winning streak.
Author's summary: Despite injuries sidelining key players, the OKC Thunder maintain their best-ever 8-0 start while preparing a shuffled lineup against the Portland Trail Blazers.