Thunder Lose 10 Players Due to Injury Before Spurs Game

The Oklahoma City Thunder are facing one of those nights that rarely shows up on a contender’s calendar. As the season rolls into the All-Star break, Oklahoma City suddenly finds itself stretched thin in a way few teams could prepare for.

Ahead of their game with the San Antonio Spurs, the Thunder will be without 10 of their 15 standard-contracted players. It is the kind of injury report that forces coaches to rewrite rotations, rethink expectations, and simply focus on getting through 48 minutes.

For a team that has spent most of the year setting the tone in the Western Conference, this moment feels jarring. Oklahoma City has built its success on continuity, depth, and chemistry. Losing that many bodies at once challenges not just the game plan, but the rhythm that carried the Thunder to the top of the standings.

A Roster Suddenly Thinned Out

The list of unavailable players includes several foundational pieces. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out with an abdominal strain, removing the defending MVP and decision-maker who often settles the offense when games tighten.

Alex Caruso will miss the game due to a right adductor injury, leaving a noticeable void on the defensive end and in leadership. Isaiah Hartenstein is sidelined with a right eye corneal abrasion, further limiting Oklahoma City’s paint options.

Chet Holmgren is also unavailable because of low back spasms, taking away rim protection, spacing, and a major matchup problem for opponents.

When those names are combined with additional injuries across the roster, the Thunder are left with a lineup that looks far different from the group that has dominated the West for months. This all while playing against Victor Wembanyama.

The Standings Provide Some Breathing Room

Oklahoma City still owns a dominating lead in the conference. The Thunder sit at 40-11, six games clear of the Spurs, who enter the matchup at 33-16. That lead matters on nights like this, when just surviving the game becomes the top goal.

In their most recent meeting on January 13, Oklahoma City cruised to a 119-98 win, controlling the game from start to finish and showing off their balance that has defined them the last two seasons.

A Different Kind Of Test

This game is unlikely to follow that same script. It will be about effort, adaptability, and simply managing the night with limited options. For the Thunder, it is less about style points and more about staying afloat.

Nights like these often fade from the memory of the season, but they can quietly help form a team’s identity. How Oklahoma City responds with so many players unavailable could show as much about its long-term readiness as any fully healthy win.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Thunder Lose 10 Players Due to Injury Before Spurs Game

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