Oklahoma City carries a 4-0 record into four games over eight days, three of them away from Paycom Center. The roster that finishes the week should look fuller than the one that starts it.
Dallas Opens on ESPN
Tonight's game in Dallas airs on ESPN. Oklahoma City had a single day off following a three-game week, and the Mavericks had the same rest but play at home. Dallas is 2-2 with a -3.2 net rating. Cooper Flagg has averaged 25.0 points and 6.3 assists in three games. The Mavericks are thin too: Dereck Lively II, Santi Aldama, Caleb Martin, Sergio de Larrea and Tarik Biberovic are all ruled out, and Kyrie Irving (knee) and Naji Marshall (illness) are both listed as day-to-day. A 102.0 defensive rating is the Thunder's best argument against a team that needs Flagg to create almost everything.
Who Is Missing, and When
Chet Holmgren's right knee has him out, and he is targeted to return October 31 at Houston. Alex Caruso's ankle, Thomas Sorber's knee and Nikola Topic's back all point to November 4. Jalen Williams' leg and Cason Wallace's shoulder push their returns to March 2, 2027. Ajay Mitchell has an ankle issue but is projected to play tonight, which matters: he is averaging 16.0 points and scored 30 against Phoenix. Jared McCain has picked up 11 more minutes per game over the last three with teammates sidelined, and he is shooting 47.8 percent from three. These minutes are the development story of the week.
Why Cleveland Matters Most
The Rockets game on October 31 is on NBA TV and comes after three days off. Cleveland is the opponent to watch. The Thunder play the Cavaliers twice in three days, first on the road November 2 on Peacock/NBC Sports Network and then at home November 4. That second game is the first date Caruso, Sorber and Topic are scheduled to be available, so it gives the clearest look at what this roster looks like without Williams and Wallace for the next four months. The Athletic framed the Thunder as undefeated but in danger. This week measures depth, not draft capital: the front office holds swap rights in 2027 and 2028 and its own picks after that, but none of it helps a guard rotation now.
When is Chet Holmgren expected back for the Thunder?
Holmgren is out with a right knee issue and is targeted to return October 31 at Houston.
What channel is Thunder vs. Mavericks on tonight?
The October 28 game in Dallas is on ESPN. The Houston game on October 31 is on NBA TV.
