Oklahoma City moved up to third in the West at 4-1 without playing, and the standings now credit a start built before the injury list grew. The Thunder visit Houston on Oct. 31 with Chet Holmgren day-to-day and three more players projected back for the Nov. 4 home game against Cleveland.
Third Without Taking the Floor
The Thunder rose from fifth to third without playing a game. At 4-1 they sit two games ahead of the 11th spot, with the Spurs sixth at 3-2. A 66-16 pace is early arithmetic, but a cushion banked in October is worth having for a roster this short on bodies.
Where Dallas Got Away
The 120-96 loss turned after halftime: 22 points in the third and 15 in the last period, capped by a 12-0 Mavericks run. Ajay Mitchell carried the finish with 10 late points and was the only Thunder player with a positive plus-minus, at +4. The closing group of Josh Dix, Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz, Brooks Barnhizer and Jared McCain included three rookies. Justin Martinez reported that Jalen Williams had surgery. He and Cason Wallace are both projected out until March 2, 2027, so this kind of development minutes will keep coming.
The Houston Question
Holmgren's right knee is the swing factor. He is day-to-day and projected back Oct. 31, the date of the Rockets game. If he plays, Isaiah Hartenstein no longer has to cover the interior alone. Thunderous Intentions argued that Mara should answer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's call for a tougher team. The open question is whether this guard group can survive Houston and a trip to Cleveland before Alex Caruso is projected back.
Will Chet Holmgren play against the Rockets on Oct. 31?
He is listed day-to-day with a right knee issue and is projected back Oct. 31, the day of the Houston game. His status for tipoff has not been announced.
When are Alex Caruso, Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber expected back?
All three are projected back Nov. 4, when the Thunder host the Cavaliers. Until then, Oklahoma City plays at Houston and at Cleveland without them.
