The defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder open their title defense Tuesday night against the Houston Rockets. The Paycom Center crowd will see the team’s championship banner raised and players receive their rings, celebrating last season’s Game 7 Finals win over the Indiana Pacers.

Heading into opening night, several key players are listed on the OKC Thunder’s injury report, including Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso.

OKC Thunder Injury Report vs. Houston RocketsAlex Caruso — SG — Day-to-dayIsaiah Joe — SG — Day-to-dayAjay Mitchell — G — Day-to-dayNikola Topic — G — OutKenrich Williams — SF — OutJalen Williams — F — Day-to-dayThomas Sorber — C — OutWhen will Jalen Williams return from injury?

OKC Thunder star forward Jalen “JDub” Williams injured his wrist at the end of the regular season in April 2025. He played the entire playoffs with a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist, and had surgery from Dr. Steven Shin on July 1, 2025.

He’s listed as Day-to-Day on ESPN’s injury report with the following comment: Williams said Monday at Media Day that he “still has a ways to go” with his wrist recovery, according to Clemente Almanza of USA Today.

Thunder Reporter Steve McGehee shared video of Williams getting shots up ahead of the Thunder’s final preseason game against Denver on Friday.

If JDub is unable to play Tuesday or misses time to start the season, the Thunder would feel his absence on both ends of the court.

Williams was named to his first NBA All-Star team last season, and averaged 21.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists during the regular season. He also scored 40 points in a pivotal finals game for the Thunder.

We’ll see what his injury designation is leading up to tipoff on Tuesday.

Is Alex Caruso Injured for the Thunder?

During OKC’s final preseason game against Denver, Caruso was a starter but only played 11 minutes, leaving early due to an ankle injury.

Here’s what ESPN’s injury report said about Caruso:

Caruso (ankle) totaled three points (1-3 FG, 1-3 3Pt) and one rebound across 11 minutes in Friday’s 94-91 preseason win over the Nuggets.

Caruso is one of four guards listed on the injury report, and depending on who is available, depth could become an issue to start the season.

Last season, Caruso played in 54 regular-season games and averaged 19.3 minutes per game. In the postseason, the defensive star averaged 24.2 minutes per game, which is where the Thunder really wants Caruso to perform. Expect OKC to let Caruso, the veteran and oldest player on the team, get fully healthy before returning to the court.

When Will Nikola Topic Debut for the Thunder?

The 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft for the Thunder was out all last season due to a knee injury. This year, he played in the Summer League and the preseason before being ruled out for 4-6 weeks after undergoing testicular surgery on October 6th.

That timeline has Topic returning anywhere from November 3 to November 17th, as early as the Thunder’s 8th game of the season.

Thunder Guards on Day-to-Day Status

The other two guards on the injury report ahead of the season for the Thunder are Aja Mitchell, a ball-handling point guard, and Isaiah Joe, a three-point sharpshooter.

Joe’s injury report comment reads as follows: Joe (knee) has been ruled out for Friday’s preseason game against Denver, according to Clemente Almanza of USA Today.

He injured his knee during OKC’s preseason game against the Pacers. He was limited to seven minutes on the floor.

Joe, a rotational piece who comes off OKC’s bench, can provide a quick spark for the offense from behind the arc. Last season in 74 games played, Joe shot 41.2 percent on threes.

Second round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Mitchell was carving his spot into the Thunder rotation last season before a turf toe injury sidelined him for the majority of the season.

Mitchell, also ruled out for the final preseason game, hurt his ankle during the Pacers game. His status for the season opener is in question.

Recovering from Surgery

Big man Kenrich Williams is OUT until late November or early December after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on September 30th.

Kenrich Williams is another key rotational piece behind Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jalen Williams.

First-round pick this year, Thomas Sorber, is out for the season with a torn ACL in his right knee. He’ll return for the 2026 season.