Only four unbeaten teams remain in the NBA as Wednesday's schedule begins, and all of them play in the Western Conference. One of those streaks faces a stern test in the nightcap of an ESPN doubleheader, when the Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Dallas Mavericks at 9:30 p.m. ET. It is the first meeting between the rivals this season.
The Thunder arrive badly short-handed. Forward Jalen Williams, 25, was stretchered off the floor in Sunday's game against the Clippers. According to general manager Sam Presti, he suffered a fractured fibula and a dislocated left ankle. The team has not given a firm timeline, but his absence is expected to last months and could cover the rest of the season. Williams was limited to 33 regular-season games last year and missed 10 of Oklahoma City's 15 playoff games.
Guard Cason Wallace, who recently signed a five-year, $139 million extension, also went down against the Clippers with a torn labrum in his left shoulder, and his return this season is in doubt. He was a first-team All-Defensive selection last season and had moved into the starting lineup after Lu Dort was traded to Atlanta. Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins were also moved in offseason salary dumps, leaving the roster thinner than last year's.
The list grew longer on Monday. Guard Alex Caruso left the win over Phoenix with a right ankle sprain and is out for the Dallas game. Big man Chet Holmgren will miss a second straight game with patellar tendinitis in his right knee. Guard Ajay Mitchell, who scored a career-high 30 points Monday and averages 16.0 points, is listed as iffy with an ankle issue. Jared McCain and rookie Bennett Stirtz are expected to see more minutes. Two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains the centerpiece.
The injuries have moved the market. Oklahoma City's odds to win the West slipped from roughly +160 to +200, behind San Antonio at +165. Its title odds went from +300 to +360, and its regular-season win total dropped from 61.5 to 58.5. For Wednesday's game, the Thunder are 6.5-point favorites with a total of 229.5, and about 73% of bets and 65% of the money are on Oklahoma City.
Dallas has been hard to read. First-year coach Dusty May leads a team built around second-year star Cooper Flagg, along with veterans Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford, whose futures may be uncertain beyond the trade deadline. The Mavericks have alternated wins and losses, with both victories coming on the road, at Indiana and Miami.
Monday's 113-109 win over the Heat was the latest. Flagg, who missed Saturday's game with a sore shoulder, returned to post 29 points, 11 rebounds, five steals and three blocks. Irving added 18 points, six rebounds and six assists. Walter Clayton had 15 points, four assists and four steals in 17 minutes, and Dallas was plus-22 with him on the floor. He signed a two-way contract last week after being waived by Memphis. Rookie guard Sergio De Larrea is sidelined with a knee injury.
Irving is questionable with a knee issue, as are forwards Naji Marshall, who averages 13.7 points, and Caleb Martin, who has yet to debut this season. Oklahoma City swept last season's series 3-0, winning by an average of about 13 points, though Dallas covered the spread in two of those games. A SportsLine model projects a 118-115 Thunder win.
