The Thunder are 4-2 and fifth in the West after losing 98-119 at Houston. They visit the Cavaliers on Monday with six players out and one reported signing now reported dead.
The Agbaji Move Falls Through
On Oct. 30 Hoops Rumors reported that the Thunder would sign Ochai Agbaji. A day later ESPN reported, citing sources, that the club was no longer signing him after Chet Holmgren's injury. Holmgren has a small patellar tendon tear and is out 8-10 weeks, with an estimated return of Jan. 2. Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace both carry March 2 estimates. Agbaji is not on the roster, so the help has to be found elsewhere.
A Rest Edge Against Cleveland
Cleveland is 4-2 with a net rating of 4.3 over six games, and it plays Sunday before this one. The Thunder have had two days off. James Harden is at 6.3 assists and Donovan Mitchell at 22.7 points for the Cavaliers. Oklahoma City's own net rating is -0.7 over the same span, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at 26.0 points. Thomas Sorber, Alex Caruso and Nikola Topic carry Nov. 4 estimates, the date of the return game in Oklahoma City.
Who Absorbs the Minutes
By our count the Thunder have 113 minutes out of the rotation today and 837 since opening night, eighth most among the 30 clubs. Holmgren alone was playing 29.9 minutes. Jared McCain has already taken about 11 more minutes over the last three games, and he shot 5-of-14 at Houston. By our count, three of four day-to-day listings on this club ended with a missed game, so Caruso's status deserves caution. Gilgeous-Alexander is nine threes from 750, about five games away at his current pace, a small marker in a week that needs a larger answer.
When will Chet Holmgren return for the Thunder?
Holmgren has a small patellar tendon tear and is out 8-10 weeks, according to reports. His estimated return is Jan. 2.
When do the Thunder play the Cavaliers?
The Thunder play at Cleveland on Nov. 2, then host the Cavaliers on Nov. 4.
