They say misfortune never comes alone. And in the case of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the saying has never been more painfully true. Although there was no official confirmation yet, the 2025 champions were already counting on Jalen Williams being out for the entire season following the chilling injury he suffered against the Clippers, but what they did not expect was for the update on his situation to bring extra news. News that further complicates a course that had already begun to go wrong.
According to ESPN reporter Shams Charania, Williams was not the only player to suffer a serious injury in that game. Cason Wallace had to leave the court after just a few minutes following what seemed to be a blow to the shoulder, but which has turned out to be a torn labrum in his left shoulder, an injury that will require surgery and puts his season at risk. And with it, the Thunder’s season as a whole.
BREAKING: Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams has a dislocated left ankle and fractured fibula; Cason Wallace has a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Both will undergo surgery and be sidelined for several months — most, if not the entire season. https://t.co/62OxZtIGRc
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 26, 2026
Initial speculation points to a possible recovery period of between five and six months, which opens the door to a possible return for the playoffs, although it is unclear what his form would be at that point. With Williams, on the other hand, the situation appears more definitive, as he has suffered a fibula fracture and a dislocated left ankle which, although not officially confirmed, point to the end of his season.
Daigneault’s side therefore lose two members of their starting five in less than 24 hours, moving them from feeling like major title contenders to going through a phase full of doubt. Although they have shown they function so well collectively that they can beat many teams even when plagued by absences, their ceiling is clearly much lower if they reach the postseason without Williams and Wallace. And right now, the front office is probably wondering whether it has fallen so far that they are no longer considered championship contenders.
Because, if so, they will have to make a move, and it is not clear in which direction. From next season, the roster will be above the second apron, so if they decide it is time to make a trade, the priority may be to start reducing the salary bill. And although it is too early to reach this conclusion (even though many have already done so), it is undoubtedly an option the management must be weighing.