After the Oklahoma City Thunder lost Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace to long-term injuries this week, the team is trying to stay positive despite the two starters' absences. The Dallas Mavericks handed the Thunder their first loss of 2026-27—a 120-96 rout. On the bench in street clothes, with his left arm in a sling, was Wallace, a Dallas native who traveled with Oklahoma City amidst a three-game road trip.
After the game, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault discussed the significance of having Wallace on the bench for the first time since he sustained his shoulder injury on Sunday.
“It's been great having him around, and the guys have heard from Dub,” Daigneault said. “I think that's kind of given the guys permission to get ready every night and go compete. Obviously, you want to appropriately empathize with those guys, and we have, and the guys have, but those guys have been amazing — Cason and Dub. Just in terms of staying plugged into the team, and making the guys feel like they can go out there and compete every night as a team. So, it was great having him here.”
Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell, who filled the void left by Cason Wallace in head coach Mark Daigneault's starting lin...