Oklahoma City, 4-1 and third in the West, plays five times between October 31 and November 7, starting Saturday in Houston. Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Wallace are out long-term, but three other injured players have estimated returns of November 4.
The Slate, Night by Night
Saturday is at Houston on NBA TV, the end of a two-game road swing that started with the 96-120 loss in Dallas. Monday the Thunder visit Cleveland on Peacock and NBC Sports Network, and the Cavaliers come to Paycom Center on Wednesday, so the two teams play twice in three days. Friday at Memphis is an Emirates NBA Cup game, and Washington visits the next night. That Grizzlies-Wizards pair is the week's only back-to-back for Oklahoma City.
Why Houston Comes First
The Rockets are 5-1 under Ime Udoka, with a 120.4 offensive rating and a pace of 100.4, faster than the Thunder's 98.7. Alperen Sengun is averaging 24.5 points and 9.0 rebounds in four games, Kevin Durant 23.3 points, Amen Thompson 17.7 points and 7.2 rebounds. The schedule favors Oklahoma City, though. Houston is on a back-to-back, its fourth game in a week, and Fred VanVleet, Reed Sheppard and Steven Adams are all out. The Thunder's edge is the 106.1 defensive rating and fresher legs. A thinner roster has to cash in on that edge early, before Houston's shooting takes over.
Who Is Missing, and When
Chet Holmgren is out with what Hoops Rumors reported as a small patellar tendon tear, with an estimated return of January 2. Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace are out until early March. Alex Caruso, Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber all carry estimated returns of November 4, the home date with Cleveland, so the second half of the week could look different from the first. Until then the minutes are going to the young guards: Jared McCain is up 11 minutes a night over the last three games, and Ajay Mitchell is averaging 18.6 points. ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported that the Thunder are no longer signing Ochai Agbaji after Holmgren's injury. With payroll at $214.8M, past the $200.4M tax line, filling the frontcourt from within, with Isaiah Hartenstein and rookie Aday Mara, keeps the roster spot and the flexibility open. The team will learn a lot from these games.
When is Chet Holmgren expected back for the Thunder?
His estimated return is January 2, 2027. Hoops Rumors reported a small patellar tendon tear that will keep him out 8-10 weeks.
What channel is Thunder vs. Rockets on October 31?
The game in Houston is on NBA TV. Monday's game at Cleveland is on Peacock and NBC Sports Network.
