Tonight was meant to be a warm welcome for Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City and an exciting matchup between the Thunder and his new team, the Sacramento Kings. His return to OKC carries a unique sense of nostalgia that few players experience, but the event was disrupted even before the game began. Chet Holmgren, the team’s defensive anchor, has been unexpectedly ruled out of the game against the Kings due to lower back soreness.

The center is being forced to sit out after playing through the injury to start the season, adding to the Thunder’s recent injury challenges. Versatile forward Jalen Williams has also been missing from the start of the season as he recovers from surgery on his right wrist.

However, there is one bright spot for OKC. Veteran guard and premier perimeter defender Alex Caruso is returning from a concussion protocol after three missed games following their ring night to start the season. His abilities are a timely addition for a Thunder team severely lacking frontcourt size and rim protection with Holmgren out.

Apart from them Holmgren and Williams, the Thunder also missed guards Isaiah Joe (left knee contusion) and Nikola Topic (surgery recovery), forward Kenrich Williams (surgery recovery), and rookie center Thomas Sorber (surgery recovery). With most of their bigs missing, OKC heavily featured Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams, who logged 30 and 17 minutes each.

In place of Holmgren, head coach Mark Daigneault went with Aaron Wiggins in the starting lineup, switching to a smaller, faster playing style usually reserved for the Thunder’s bench lineups.

Wiggins brings more shooting to the starting lineup, which kept them in the matchup against the Kings throughout the matchup.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Lifts Chet Holmgren-less OKC Past Kings

The Oklahoma City Thunder managed to keep their perfect record to start the season intact tonight, beating the Sacramento Kings 107-101 to go up 5-0. Despite Chet Holmgren missing tonight, the Thunder managed to pull out a win behind yet another commanding performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The reining MVP scored 31 points and logged 9 rebounds on a 14-26 from the field.

The Kings held the lead for most of the game, but the Thunder turned the tide in the fourth quarter. Sophomore guard Ajay Mitchell started the final period with five consecutive points before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took control in the closing moments.

SGA scored seven points in the final six minutes, adding one assist, including a crucial step-back three with 16 seconds remaining. Lu Dort played strong defense and hit a timely three-pointer late in the fourth to secure the lead. Aaron Wiggins delivered a solid performance in the starting lineup, finishing with 18 points, four three-pointers, and three blocks.

Sacramento’s offense fell apart late after they held a seven point lead earlier in the fourth. Zach LaVine led the Kings with 23 points, while DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook contributed 19 and 16 points respectively.

However, the team managed to convert only 6 of their 18 shots in the final quarter. Domantas Sabonis recorded 18 rebounds, but the Kings failed to capitalize on Chet Holmgren’s absence.

The Thunder’s depth and championship-level execution allowed them to close the game effectively, securing their position at the top of the Western Conference standings early in the season.