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Jaylin Williams Set to Miss Second Straight Game
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Jaylin Williams (back) has been ruled out for Friday's NBA Cup game against the Memphis Grizzlies with lower-back spasms. Williams also missed Wednesday's win over Cleveland and will now sit for a second straight game. The 24-year-old is averaging 2.9 points and 4.1 rebounds this season. With Chet Holmgren (knee) and Jalen Williams (leg) facing lengthy absences, Aday Mara should remain heavily involved after averaging 6.4 points and 5.6 rebounds so far. Kenrich Williams and Micah Peavy should also continue seeing extra minutes while Oklahoma City works through its depleted frontcourt.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jaylin Williams Iffy for Wednesday Against Cleveland
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Jaylin Williams (back) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to lower back spasms. Williams made his first start of the season in Monday's 117-112 win at Cleveland, finishing with three points in 20 minutes while shooting 1-for-6 from the field. He is averaging 2.9 points and 4.0 rebounds this season, but Oklahoma City remains thin up front with Chet Holmgren (knee) sidelined for 8-to-10 weeks. If Williams sits, Aday Mara, Kenrich Williams, and Micah Peavy could all pick up additional minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Chet Holmgren Out at Least 8-10 Weeks
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren (knee) will miss at least eight to 10 weeks after undergoing a biological treatment for a small patellar tendon tear, according to Marc Stein. Holmgren had been sidelined since Oct. 25 with what the Thunder initially called patellar tendinitis. The 24-year-old averaged 12.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks through three games before the injury. Isaiah Hartenstein has responded with three straight double-doubles and should remain a strong source of rebounds. Aday Mara should also stay in the mix for regular bench minutes, with his rebounding and shot-blocking giving Oklahoma City another option inside.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Chet Holmgren to Miss Second Straight Game
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks with right patellar tendinitis. It will be his second straight absence after averaging 12.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks through three games. Isaiah Hartenstein should continue to handle the bulk of the center minutes, while rookie Aday Mara is worth a look after posting 11 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in 20 minutes against Phoenix. Kenrich Williams should also stay more involved in the frontcourt, but Mara's rebounding and shot-blocking give him the stronger short-term fantasy appeal.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Thomas Sorber and Nikola Topic Remain Sidelined Monday
Andrew Schlecht of The Athletic reports that Oklahoma City Thunder center Thomas Sorber (knee) and guard Nikola Topic (back) will remain sidelined for Monday's matchup against the Phoenix Suns. The Thunder mistakenly omitted both from their initial injury report due to a clerical error. Neither player has made an appearance this season, and there is currently no projected return date. With Sorber and Topic unavailable for the foreseeable future, neither holds much fantasy value.
Source: Andrew Schlecht
Source: Andrew Schlecht
Chet Holmgren Sidelined on Monday
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's matchup against the Phoenix Suns due to right patellar tendinitis. His next opportunity to return comes Wednesday against the Mavs. With Holmgren sidelined, Isaiah Hartenstein is expected to take on an expanded frontcourt role. Hartenstein posted 12 points, 12 rebounds, one assist, and one steal across 27 minutes in Sunday's 108-101 win over the Clippers. The veteran big man should see increased minutes and rebounding opportunities, making him a valuable fantasy option while Holmgren is unavailable.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jaylin Williams Exits Sunday with Wrist Injury
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Jaylin Williams (wrist) will not return to Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers due to right wrist soreness, according to Nick Gallo. Williams went scoreless on one shot attempt in five minutes before heading to the locker room. The 24-year-old missed the entire preseason with a heel issue and had gone just 2-for-10 from the field through his first two games. Oklahoma City hosts Phoenix on Monday, and Aday Mara could pick up more backup-center minutes if Williams is unable to play the second leg of the back-to-back.
Source: Nick Gallo
Source: Nick Gallo
Chet Holmgren Set to Suit Up Tuesday
Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman reports that Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren (quadriceps) is available for Tuesday's regular-season opener against the San Antonio Spurs. Holmgren missed all five preseason games due to a quad contusion. The 24-year-old averaged 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks across 69 games last season. If Holmgren has any setbacks, Isaiah Hartenstein will see extra minutes.
Source: Justin Martinez
Source: Justin Martinez
Chet Holmgren Uncertain for Season Opener
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren (quadriceps) remains uncertain for Tuesday's season opener at San Antonio after missing all five preseason games with a quad contusion. Head coach Mark Daigneault said everyone participated in Saturday's practice in some capacity but did not reveal how much work Holmgren got in. The 24-year-old averaged 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks across 69 games last season. There hasn't been any indication of a lengthy absence, but fantasy managers should check Monday's injury report before setting lineups. Isaiah Hartenstein would get the biggest bump if Holmgren sits, while Aday Mara could also pick up extra minutes.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Aday Mara's NBA Debut Challenged by Former Spanish Club
Oklahoma City Thunder center Aday Mara is facing a contract dispute with former Spanish club Basket Zaragoza ahead of Tuesday's season opener at San Antonio. Zaragoza claims the 21-year-old remains under contract through 2026-27, but Oklahoma City says the NBA advised the team that no clearance is required after Mara spent three seasons in the NCAA. There is no indication yet that he will be forced to sit. Mara averaged 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.4 blocks in five preseason games while shooting 78.8% from the field, so fantasy managers should monitor the situation without overreacting.
Source: Donatas Urbonas
Source: Donatas Urbonas
Aday Mara Stays Perfect in 22-Point Outing Against Bucks
Oklahoma City Thunder center Aday Mara scored 22 points on perfect 10-for-10 shooting in Wednesday's 128-126 preseason loss to Milwaukee, adding six rebounds, two assists, and one block in 25 minutes. With Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle) and Chet Holmgren (quadriceps) sidelined, the rookie drew another start and worked well around Oklahoma City's playmakers. Mara is now 15-for-15 from the field through two exhibitions with 15 rebounds and four blocks. The production has been impressive, but Oklahoma City's crowded frontcourt still makes his regular-season minutes difficult to project.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Aday Mara Posts 12 Points, Three Blocks in Preseason Debut
Oklahoma City Thunder center Aday Mara recorded 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three blocks in 18 minutes during Tuesday's 116-110 preseason loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. The No. 12 overall pick was perfect from the floor, hitting all five of his shots while going 2-for-2 at the line. Mara flashed the rim protection and passing that made him a lottery pick out of Michigan, but regular minutes could be tough to find in Oklahoma City's crowded frontcourt. Another strong preseason outing could help Mara earn a few more minutes, but his shot-blocking remains the clearest reason to keep an eye on him.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Thunder Sign Christoph Tilly to an Exhibit 10 Deal
The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed center Christoph Tilly to an Exhibit 10 contract, according to Andrew Schlecht. The 7-foot German went undrafted out of Ohio State after a 118-game college career between Santa Clara and the Buckeyes, averaging 9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 20.6 minutes. Tilly also played six Summer League games for Oklahoma City, posting 6.0 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 53.1 percent from the field. Exhibit 10 deals are usually about camp depth and G-League positioning, and there is no clear NBA runway here with Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams, Aday Mara, and Thomas Sorber already in the frontcourt mix. With Oklahoma City's two-way spots already full, Tilly looks more likely to land with the OKC Blue than on fantasy rosters.
Source: Andrew Schlecht
Source: Andrew Schlecht
Isaiah Hartenstein Back in Oklahoma City for Offseason Work
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein is back at the team's practice facility ahead of training camp, posting a photo from the building on his Instagram story Monday, according to Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire. The 28-year-old signed a three-year, $75 million extension in June that runs through 2028-29, keeping his frontcourt role secure. Hartenstein was limited to 47 games last season, averaging 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 24.2 minutes while shooting 62.2 percent from the field. Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams keep the ceiling in check, but Hartenstein's rebounds, assists, and efficiency still give him a useful fantasy lane when healthy.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Aday Mara Blocks Four Shots in Spain's Loss to Portugal
Oklahoma City Thunder center Aday Mara posted 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, and four blocks in Spain's 95-89 loss to Portugal on Friday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The No. 12 pick in June's draft went 3-for-8 from the field and 6-for-7 at the line in 19 minutes, while Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta countered with 16 points and nine rebounds for Portugal. The rim protection tracks with Mara's Michigan profile after he averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.6 blocks en route to Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors and a national title. Oklahoma City's frontcourt is crowded, though, with Isaiah Hartenstein back on a fresh three-year deal, Chet Holmgren locked into heavy minutes, and Jaylin Williams and Thomas Sorber also in the backup mix. Mara remains off fantasy radars until that logjam thins.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
