The Oklahoma City Thunder face the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, with Game 1 set for Monday night.
Despite being the defending champions and posting the NBA’s best record in each of the past two seasons, Oklahoma City enters the series having lost four of its last five regular-season meetings against San Antonio.
That might have given the Spurs a slight edge entering the series, but the latest injury report may have shifted momentum back toward the Thunder, at least for Game 1.
How Jalen Williams’ Return Boosts the Thunder in Game 1
The Thunder had been without two-way star Jalen Williams since April 22, when he suffered a left hamstring strain. He missed Oklahoma City’s entire second-round sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers, though the Thunder’s dominant play allowed the team to avoid rushing him back.
Williams recently revealed he was “healthy” and participated fully in Sunday’s practice. Oklahoma City later removed him from the injury report, confirming he will be available for Monday night’s opener.
While Ajay Mitchell impressed in Williams’ absence, averaging 22.5 points, 6.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game against the Lakers, he is expected to return to a bench role with the All-Star forward back in the lineup.
Williams remains one of the NBA’s premier two-way players, providing scoring, playmaking, and defensive versatility to the Thunder to complement back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
If that wasn’t enough good news for Oklahoma City, San Antonio’s injury report raised two additional concerns for the Spurs.
De’Aaron Fox was listed as questionable with right ankle soreness, and his status is especially concerning given his importance to San Antonio’s postseason run. Across 11 playoff appearances, Fox has averaged 18.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.1 steals while playing 33.3 minutes per game.
Fox was seen limping late in the second quarter of Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals, and while he returned in the second half, he is now on the injury report.
If he is unable to suit up, the Thunder would benefit from significantly less perimeter pressure and could focus more defensive attention on Victor Wembanyama.
Meanwhile, Luke Kornet is also listed as questionable with left foot soreness. While his absence would not dramatically alter the outlook for Game 1, it could still affect San Antonio’s frontcourt depth, as he has averaged 5.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 11 playoff games.
Neither injury appears serious enough to impact the entire series, but for a Thunder team that may have entered with a slight mental disadvantage, even a small edge matters.
Oklahoma City now has a chance to change the narrative around the Spurs being their nemesis and grab early momentum when Game 1 tips off Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
