The Oklahoma City Thunder -- the championship favorite among many fans and analysts -- have suffered a devastating double injury blow less than a week into the season, and one that makes the Golden State Warriors offseason look even worse.
The Thunder could be without both Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace for the remainder of the season, with both needing surgery on their respective injuries. Williams -- viewed as Oklahoma City's second-best player behind back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander -- suffered an awful fractured fibula and dislocated ankle during Sunday's win over the L.A. Clippers.
Warriors' offseason looks even worse after Thunder injuries
While still a talented, playoff-level roster, it will now be a tall task for the Thunder to win the championship this season. That means rivals at the top of the Western Conference will benefit, including the likes of San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets and even Los Angeles Lakers.
The Warriors, meanwhile, are in no position to capitalize on the Thunder's cruel injury luck, having suffered plenty themselves over the the last 11 months, most notably through major knee injuries for Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody.
That pair is expected to return mid-season, and it's now even more disappointing that the front office did very little to add to the roster to firstly remain more competitive while Butler and Moody are out, but also potentially rise into championship calculations once they return.
Instead, Golden State didn't make a free agency move until late August when they acquired Brandon Williams and Georges Niang -- two bench players. It left a state of pessimism rather than optimism for many fans entering the season, and that's now played out accordingly through the first week.
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. pic.twitter.com/62OxZtIGRc
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 26, 2026
Warriors get a reminder of value of putting yourself in the mix
This proves the value of still tying to be at the very least a playoff contender. Most knowledgable Warrior fans knew it was going to be hard for the franchise to be a genuine top tier championship contender, but trying to be a bonafide playoff team shouldn't be a major ask.
If you are a genuine playoff team, suddenly injuries and other elements can play a role and allow you to capitalize on a situation, the likes of which we've now seen with Oklahoma City who will be without two of their best players.
The Warriors have instead started the season 0-3 and appear like a team who will be too far out of the equation to even contemplate a run when Butler and Moody return.
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