Thunder Hobbled as They Open Stretch Run Against Nets

Oklahoma City missing three key players as they host Brooklyn in first of two meetings this season

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without three key players - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Ajay Mitchell - as they open the stretch run of the NBA season against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. The Thunder have been dealing with injuries all season and have struggled to find consistency, going just 7-7 since January 17. Meanwhile, the Nets have lost 12 of their last 15 games and are coming off a blowout loss to the Cavaliers. Despite the injuries, the Thunder are focused on sharpening their rotations, transition play, and rebounding as they take on a Nets team that struggles to generate fastbreak points.

Why it matters

The Thunder's injury woes have hampered their ability to build momentum and chemistry heading into the final stretch of the season. As the reigning NBA champions, they will need to find a way to weather the storm and keep pace in the Western Conference playoff race. The Nets, meanwhile, are trying to right the ship and avoid falling further behind in the Eastern Conference standings.

The details

The Thunder will be without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain), Jalen Williams (right hamstring), and Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain, sprained ankle) for Friday's game against the Nets. Gilgeous-Alexander and Mitchell will be reevaluated in about a week, while Williams is expected to miss around two weeks. Despite the injuries, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault says the team has done a good job of continuing to improve and develop individual players. Chet Holmgren, who made his first All-Star team, will have to carry a bigger load until the other stars return. The Nets, meanwhile, are coming off a blowout loss to the Cavaliers in which coach Jordi Fernandez was frustrated by the team's lack of effort and readiness.

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be reevaluated in approximately one week.
  • Jalen Williams will be reevaluated in approximately two weeks.
  • Ajay Mitchell will be reevaluated in about a week.

The players

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

A star player for the Oklahoma City Thunder who has missed the last five games with an abdominal strain.

Jalen Williams

A key player for the Thunder who has reaggravated a right hamstring strain and will miss approximately two weeks.

Ajay Mitchell

The Thunder's sixth-man who has been out since January 21 with an abdominal strain and recently suffered a sprained left ankle.

Chet Holmgren

The Thunder's rising star who is coming off his first NBA All-Star appearance and will have to carry a bigger load with the team's other stars out.

Jordi Fernandez

The head coach of the Brooklyn Nets who was frustrated with his team's lack of effort and readiness in their recent blowout loss to the Cavaliers.

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What they’re saying

“We'd like to get healthy but you also can't wait around in terms of continuing to find ways to improve whatever the circumstances are. I think we've actually done a pretty good job of that. It's been a little choppy. It's been hard to find a team rhythm just with the consistency of availability but I think we've accomplished some things especially with the individual growth of players.”

— Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder Head Coach

“We've got to focus on making sure our rotations are sharp, we're running wide in transition, we're rebounding on both ends, have each other's back. We've got to worry about that stuff. The schedule is what it is. No matter what you do, it's not gonna change.”

— Chet Holmgren

“It was the lack of effort and readiness. I'm not going to let it fly. Once again, we know we're better. Our standards are higher than this and now we've got to move onto the next one. We've got to hold everybody accountable, myself included, and then go and fight better (Friday).”

— Jordi Fernandez, Brooklyn Nets Head Coach

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.