Oklahoma City faces Game 5 uncertainty with injuries
PUBLISHED May 26, 2026, 10:03 AM ET
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OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder will be short-handed for Tuesday night’s pivotal Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, with guard Ajay Mitchell ruled out and forward Jalen Williams listed as questionable. Mitchell, a second-year guard who had taken on an expanded offensive role earlier in the postseason, suffered a right soleus strain in the third quarter of Game 3 and missed Game 4. Williams, a former All-Star and All-NBA wing, has managed a left hamstring injury since April 22, when he was hurt in Game 2 of the first-round series against the Phoenix Suns, and he re-aggravated the injury in Game 2 against San Antonio. Williams sat out the Thunder’s second-round sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers and remained sidelined for Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference Finals, as the team updated his status from left hamstring soreness to a left hamstring strain under injury management. Without Williams and Mitchell, Oklahoma City struggled in a 103-82 loss in Game 4, shooting 33 percent, committing 20 turnovers and seeing two-time reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander held to 19 points. The Spurs enter Game 5 at full strength, while the Thunder list only big man Thomas Sorber, out all season with an ACL injury, in addition to Mitchell and Williams. The series is tied 2-2, with Game 5 set for 8:30 p.m. ET at Paycom Center and the winner moving ahead 3-2 with two opportunities to reach the 2026 NBA Finals.
By Daniel Hayes | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Apr 22 Williams sustains left hamstring injury
- Second round Thunder sweep Los Angeles Lakers
- Game 2 Williams re-aggravates hamstring versus Spurs
- Game 3 Mitchell suffers right soleus strain
- Game 4 Thunder lose 103-82 in San Antonio
- Monday Shams Charania updates Williams’ progress
- Tuesday Thunder rule Mitchell out for Game 5
- Tonight Game 5 tips off in Oklahoma City
News Intelligence
- The Thunder's performance affects local pride and the city's economy. With key players injured, the team's ability to advance in the playoffs is uncertain. If you're a fan, this could impact your viewing plans and emotional investment in the season.
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