It’s September, the NBA’s quiet zone, but for Oklahoma City Thunder fans, that quiet is probably ringing with some serious questions. Especially after the last two seasons. The Thunder are heading into 2026-27 as co-title favorites with the San Antonio Spurs. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren leading the charge, they absolutely belong in that championship conversation. But after battling injuries for what feels like forever, a social media user dropped the question we’re all thinking: just how healthy is this squad really?
The Injury Curse That Almost Cost Everything
We’ve seen this movie before, right? Injuries have absolutely plagued OKC for the past couple of years. One season, it felt like magic: Chet Holmgren missed three months with a hip fracture, and the Thunder still went on to win the 2025 NBA championship. Unbelievable! But last year? The bill came due. By the end of their 2026 playoff run, the absences of Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell were just too much to overcome. They battled, but ultimately, fell short in a crushing Game 7 loss in the Western Conference Finals.
Can Williams and Mitchell Finally Shake the Injury Bug?
So, let’s talk about the big three who ended last season wearing street clothes: Williams, Mitchell, and Thomas Sorber. Jalen Williams, man, he had it rough. He sustained a staggering four hamstring strains in just five months! Constant soft-tissue setbacks forced him to miss most of OKC’s postseason run. His 2026 was a start-stop nightmare he just couldn’t get over. But here’s the silver lining: he’s been working with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s trainer this offseason, hopefully to finally put those chronic issues behind him. With four months of rest, there’s zero reason to believe those concerns should translate over to this upcoming season. Getting hamstrings to heal without the pressure of rushing back for wins makes all the difference. Ajay Mitchell also missed OKC’s last four games with a soleus strain. His rehab took until July to fully recover, which means he would have been out for the entire 2026 NBA Finals if the Thunder had advanced to face the New York Knicks. But now, a couple of months later, he’s back in the gym and logging his offseason work.
The Long Road Back for Thomas Sorber
Then there’s Thomas Sorber. His journey back is perhaps the longest. He hasn’t played a competitive game since February 2015, which is an insane amount of time. By the time preseason rolls around in October 2026, it will have been a full 18 months since his last competitive action. He even had a follow-up procedure on his surgically-repaired knee in June 2026. Only expected to miss a month, he was likely cleared in August, giving him plenty of time for camp. With ample recovery time and focused rehab, the hope is these guys can hit the ground running. Thunder fans are buzzing. All eyes will be on these key players when training camp begins. It’s time to show the league they’re healthy and ready for that title push!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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