Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) and guard Donovan Mitchell (45) wait along side head coach Kenny Atkinson (Image via Imagn). The Oklahoma City Thunder visit Cleveland on January 19, 2026, with the best record in the Western Conference at 35–8. Even with that strong position, the Thunder arrive short-handed. Several regular rotation players are unavailable, which changes how the team can manage minutes and lineups on the road.The Cleveland Cavaliers enter the game at 24–19 and are dealing with their own injury problems. The Cavaliers are missing key backcourt pieces and several bench players, forcing heavier workloads on their remaining starters. Availability, not tactics, may decide how competitive this game becomes.
Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Status vs Cleveland Cavaliers (January 19, 2026)
Oklahoma City will not have Jalen Williams, who is out with a right hamstring strain suffered in the recent 122–120 loss to Miami. The setback comes after he already missed the first 19 games of the season following wrist surgery. Isaiah Hartenstein remains sidelined with a soleus strain in his calf, and rookie Nikola Topic is also out with a groin injury.With those players unavailable, the Thunder rely even more on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who leads the team at 27.5 points per game. Chet Holmgren continues to anchor the frontcourt with scoring, rebounding, and rim protection. Ajay Mitchell’s role has grown as well, with the guard averaging 12.2 points per game and seeing steady minutes in the rotation.
Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Status vs Oklahoma City Thunder (January 19, 2026)
Cleveland will be without Darius Garland, who is sidelined by a right great toe sprain and is not expected back until at least January 28. Sam Merrill is out with a hand injury until January 21, while Chris Livingston is also sidelined with a knee issue on a similar timeline. Dean Wade is listed as a game-time decision due to a knee problem, and Max Strus remains out with a foot injury that could keep him sidelined into February.With Garland out, the ball is mostly in Donovan Mitchell’s hands. He’s expected to handle the scoring and set the tone on offense. Evan Mobley continues to anchor the defense, protecting the rim while adding reliable points inside.
Key Player Statistical Comparison
PlayerTeamPTSREBASSTSTLBLK3PM Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OKC 27.5 3.6 5.4 1.1 0.8 1.5 Jalen Williams (OUT) OKC 17.0 4.6 5.6 1.4 0.2 0.8 Chet Holmgren OKC 15.6 8.1 1.3 0.5 2.4 1.1 Donovan Mitchell CLE 24.8 4.2 5.5 1.4 0.2 3.4 Darius Garland (OUT) CLE 17.9 2.1 6.4 0.9 0.1 2.2 Evan Mobley CLE 12.1 6.0 3.1 0.7 1.7 0.5
What the Injuries Mean for the Game
Without Williams and Hartenstein, Oklahoma City is expected to give more minutes to defenders like Cason Wallace while keeping the offense centered around Gilgeous-Alexander. Cleveland, missing Garland’s ball-handling and Merrill’s shooting, depends heavily on Mitchell to score and Mobley to control the paint. Wade’s status could matter if he is able to play, but both teams enter the night relying on shortened rotations.