Two Key Starters Added to Injury Report as Short-Handed Squad Loses Depth Midgame
The Oklahoma City Thunder added two more names to their injury report during their matchup with the Detroit Pistons, as both players exited early—leaving Oklahoma City with only nine available bodies.
The situation continues to worsen for the Thunder. Playing the second night of a back-to-back, Oklahoma City traveled to Detroit to face a 42–14 Pistons squad battling for the league’s best overall record. The challenge was already steep before tipoff.
Earlier Wednesday, the Thunder ruled out several key contributors: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain), Jalen Williams (hamstring strain), Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain and ankle sprain), Chet Holmgren (low back spasms), Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus injury management), and Alex Caruso (ankle sprain). With Thomas Sorber sidelined for the season due to an ACL injury, Oklahoma City entered the night without four starters and seven standard roster players.
Meanwhile, Detroit had nearly a full squad, missing only Isaiah Stewart, who continues to serve an NBA suspension stemming from a pre–All-Star break altercation with the Charlotte Hornets. Few expected the shorthanded Thunder to extend their three-game winning streak.
Oklahoma City came out strong, even building a 12-point lead in the first quarter. But momentum shifted quickly. The Pistons dominated the second period 36–18, seizing control before halftime.
Coming out of the break, head coach Mark Daigneault inserted Jared McCain into the starting group in place of Isaiah Joe. Shortly after, the team announced that Joe would not return due to a left glute contusion. Branden Carlson was also ruled out with lower back soreness.
Joe’s absence is particularly impactful, as he has been playing some of the best basketball of his career and was instrumental in the Thunder’s recent surge.
With an off day Thursday before hosting the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center on Friday, Oklahoma City will hope to have Joe back to maintain offensive spacing against a Western Conference contender.
For the remainder of the Pistons game, the Thunder were left with Jaylin Williams as their only healthy true big man, forcing them into a smaller lineup against a Detroit team that saw Jalen Duren heat up as the night progressed.
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