The Oklahoma City Thunder roll into Dallas sporting a 4-0 record, an established Western Conference power with a championship banner already hanging in the Paycom Center from their 2024-25 run. But the Dallas Mavericks, at 2-2, are taking their first real steps in a positive direction after two rough seasons, and they are catching the Thunder at absolutely the right time. Wednesday’s 8:30 p.m. tipoff at the American Airlines Center could be a much closer game than anyone expects.
Thunder’s Injury Bug Opens the Door Wide Open
Forget about the Thunder’s 132 combined regular-season wins over the last two years and their functional depth, because right now, that depth is taking a massive hit. The Mavericks are not apologizing for catching a team that has been a brick wall in recent memory, especially with the news coming out of OKC. Key rotation players Cason Wallace (torn labrum) and Jalen Williams (broken ankle) are both on the shelf indefinitely, potentially for the entire season. That’s a brutal blow to any team’s chances.
But wait, there’s more. Big man Chet Holmgren is day-to-day with patellar tendonitis, and versatile guard Alex Caruso is dealing with a right ankle sprain, though at least that isn’t broken. These four absences are a huge deal. It means Oklahoma City will have to lean way more on guys like Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams, Kenrich Williams, and rookie Aday Mara. Oh, and yeah, they still have the all-everything, former league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But how much can one guy do when his supporting cast is so depleted? That’s the question the Mavs have to answer on the court.
Dallas Can Take Advantage, If They Play Their Cards Right
Last year, the Thunder swept the Mavericks in all three of their meetings. But the year before, in 2024-25, Dallas actually played the role of “thorn in big brother’s side,” winning three of four against OKC. Even though the Thunder marched to a title that year while Dallas was stuck “in the morass of the Great NBA Middle,” the Mavericks have shown they can get under OKC’s skin. Now, with the Thunder missing so many key pieces, this is the Mavericks’ moment to truly “punch above their weight.”
The key for Dallas will be frustrating Gilgeous-Alexander. If they can manage to keep him from taking over for more than a quarter, they’ve absolutely got enough in their arsenal for another uphill battle. Rookie forward Morez Johnson Jr. might even have an inside track on OKC’s rookie Aday Mara, who was his college teammate at Michigan last year. This isn’t the same Thunder team that beat Dallas last season; this is a wounded Goliath. The Mavs have a real shot to show what this “newfound penchant” is all about and kick off their I-35 series with a statement win at home.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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