Thunder Without Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell for Western Conference Finals Game 4 vs. Spurs

Thunder Without Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell for Western Conference Finals Game 4 vs. Spurs

OKC All-Star Jalen Williams remains out for Thunder-Spurs Game 4 - Yahoo  Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder will face a major test of depth in Sunday’s Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs.

The team announced pregame that All-NBA forward Jalen Williams will remain sidelined with a lingering left hamstring injury. Williams, who first injured the hamstring in Game 2, missed Game 3 and had previously been out six consecutive playoff games for the same issue. He was listed as questionable heading into Game 4 before being ruled out.

Williams’ absence is compounded by forward Ajay Mitchell, who was also ruled out Saturday with a calf strain. Mitchell had averaged 15.1 points, 4.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game across seven playoff starts this season.

OKC Thunder Get Major Jalen Williams Update Before Game 6 - HEAVYTo fill the void, Cason Wallace will start alongside regulars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, and Isaiah Hartenstein. The Thunder’s bench has carried much of the load in the series; in Game 3, Oklahoma City’s reserves scored 76 points, with Wallace, Jaylin Williams, Alex Caruso, and Jared McCain each posting 22 or more points.

OKC guard Jalen Williams' hamstring issues return, he leaves Game 2 of  Thunder-Spurs earlyThe Thunder now must lean on that depth once again, with an opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 series lead before heading back home to Oklahoma City.

The Spurs, in contrast, will be at full strength. Dylan Harper and De’Aaron Fox both played in Game 3 after entering game day with injury designations and were fully cleared for Game 4.

Sunday’s matchup promises to be a decisive test for the Thunder, who must overcome injuries to two key contributors to remain on track for their second straight NBA Finals appearance.