OKC Thunder Forced to Shuffle Starting Lineup vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Oklahoma City Thunder is off to their best start in franchise history with an 8-0 record. They have achieved this despite facing significant roster challenges.
The team has not yet played a game with a full roster of all their key players. All-NBA swingman Jalen Williams has not made his season debut. Alongside him, veteran big man Kenrich Williams and rookie guard Nikola Topic have also been absent for the first eight games.
On Wednesday, during the second night of a back-to-back against the Portland Trail Blazers, three more key players—rising star big man Chet Holmgren, defensive specialist Alex Caruso, and reigning All-Defensive guard Lu Dort—were listed as out.
- This game marks the fourth missed contest this season for both Caruso and Holmgren.
- For Lu Dort, it is his second game missed.
Caruso is out tonight for rest purposes. Holmgren is sidelined with a lower back strain. Dort suffers from a right upper trap strain, which occurred after he left Tuesday’s game early due to a shoulder injury caused by contact while fighting through a screen set by Ivica Zubac during the Thunder’s eighth consecutive victory.
"This puts three staple starters for Mark Daigneault's club on the injury report for tonight's contest against Portland."
The Thunder will need to adjust their lineup as they face the Trail Blazers without these important contributors.
Author's summary: Despite injuries to key starters, the Thunder remain unbeaten, reflecting their depth and resilience as they prepare to face Portland.